Evesham Utd 0, Studley 0 (aet)

Studley won 5-3 on penalties

KNOCKED out and knocked off! That was Tuesday's tale of torment for Dave Busst's ailing side after Grant Pinkney's shot-out penalty miss saw the Robins lose out on a semi-final place in the Worcestershire Senior Cup.

However, there could be a boost to a United side, knocked off the top of the table by Mangotsfield, that has scored just once in the past four matches if the handshake witnessed between Busst and a prolific scorer at this level leads to a debut at Stourport on Monday.

And, how the shotshy Robins need a festive fresh face judging by the midweek misery suffered at the hands of the struggling Travel Factory Alliance outfit.

Admittedly, Evesham did hit the crossbar twice when Marc Burrow and substitute Jermaine Clarke tried their luck from distance, while Leon Blake was only denied a 79th minute winner when Mark Sanders touched his free-kick over the top.

Burrow also saw a first half effort hacked off the line, while at the other end Tim Clarke was relieved to smother Jamie Bailey's shot after the keeper had been caught out at a quick throw-in before David Carns cleared Scott Walsh's 45th minute effort off the home line.

Ravi Sangha didn't connect properly with an early volleyed chance soon after the restart before Studley also struck wood and saw Clarke save well from Kevin Jones and Andrew Johnson.

Steve Duncan hit a stanchion in the first half of extra-time but neither side looked like breaking the stalemate and a shoot-out ensued.

Bailey gave the visitors the lead and it was one they kept after Sanders saved Pinkney's kick. Neil O'Sullivan, Blake and Simeon Williams all scored for Evesham but the nearest Clarke came to saving his side was when he got a hand to Adam Blake's fourth 12-yard strike.

It was another disappointing night for the home fans but Busst's wish for a striker in his stocking will hopefully come true and the goals will again start to flow.