Evesham Utd 0, Thame Utd 0

"CLEAN sheets win leagues", United boss Dave Busst said last week and two successive shut-outs have given more impetus to United's championship challenge, writes Mervyn Collins.

The disappointment of failing to record a third successive home win on Tuesday night that would have catapulted the Robins into top spot was tempered by the fact that four points from two tough matches was the anticipated reward.

The two men who argued over the winner last Saturday almost teamed up again to snatch an even later winner when Lee Knight headed Gavin O'Toole's stoppage-time flag-kick back into the six-yard box where Wesley Joyce's efforts to bundle the ball over the line - this time legally - were thwarted.

It was the skipper who headed United's clearest chance of the evening a yard wide at the far post from another O'Toole corner after 54 minutes.

However, it was Thame substitute Ben Freeman who contrived to spurn the best chance when somehow shooting side from eight yards four minutes from time with the otherwise immaculate home defence at sixes and sevens.

Goalkeeper Tim Clarke ended the game in agony after suffering a recurrence of his calf problem and it's hoped that Dave Adey will be fit to don the gloves for Evesham's next match against Mangotsfield on Saturday week.

Clarke had enjoyed a quiet evening unlike opposite number Steve Smith who saved his best to turn over a 44th minute 25-yard left-footer from Danny Williams and then turned a second half strike from the same player on to a post.

Grant Pinkney also struck wood as his 76th minute lob beat the back-pedalling Smith only to hit the top of the crossbar.

The visitors defended gallantly all night but they were also grateful to Tom Joyce who hacked a 22nd minute shot from Simeon Williams off the line when a goal then could have set up victory and a move to the top of the table.

It wasn't to be but, with five teams all boasting 27 points, it's clearly going to be a tight tussle for honours and, despite being unable to find the net for only the second this term, Busst's boys will be in there at the finish.

Division One West (top)

P W D L F A Pts

Mangotsfield 14 8 3 3 31 19 27

Evesham 13 8 3 2 21 11 27

Taunton 15 8 3 4 27 18 27

Rothwell 15 8 3 4 26 19 27

Sutton C 14 8 3 3 21 14 27

Marlow 14 6 4 4 28 24 22

Yate Town 13 6 3 4 22 12 21

Bromsgrove 13 5 6 2 20 16 21

Clevedon 14 7 0 7 22 23 21

Brackley 13 5 5 3 23 16 20

Stourport 14 6 1 7 23 17 19

Ashford 11 5 2 4 19 15 17

Paulton 13 4 4 5 17 19 16

Corby 13 4 3 6 17 25 15