Hallen 2, Evesham Utd 1 (aet)

THERE will be no lucrative FA Cup cash this season after the Robins crashed out of this year's competition at their opening hurdle on Tuesday night.

Phil Mullen's struggling side made an embarrassing early exit at the hands of a Bristol outfit equivalent to a Midland Combination side!

It all adds up to a thoroughly depressing start for United and matters must improve quickly if another season of optimism isn't to end before the dark nights set in.

Happily, it was 11 against 11 at the Sports Centre ground but the hosts had the sharper appetite for the £1,000 on offer to the winners - a carrot the Evesham players failed to find appealing.

Mullen's men had the perfect start when Wesley Joyce nodded in Andy Smith's fourth minute centre and Saturday's struggles all seemed forgotten.

Chances were at a premium on a night when Craig Ball again failed to last the distance as Steve Lutz replaced the midfielder - sent off in the first game - at half-time.

Evesham were 18 minutes away from a home tie against more "minnows" in the shape of High-worth Town when Paul Owen glanced in the equaliser following a free-kick.

Extra time ensued and Marc Burrow conceded a second spot-kick in the tie just sixty seconds into overtime.

On this occasion, however, Mark Cook's penalty was superbly turned past a post by a diving Damien Beattie.

Five minutes into the second period and the Evesham goalkeeper was left exposed as substitute Tom Collett chased a long ball to run clear and net the decider.

There was still time for Joyce to strike the crossbar and post and then rap a free-kick over the top but an early upset was recorded in a tournament that has seen so many to leave beleaguered Evesham with more problems.

Mullen might be tempted to recall Phil Mortimer and Adam Guest in time for Satur-day's visit of Taunton Town.

Mortimer turned out for Stratford Town on Tuesday, while Guest is getting some matches with fellow Midland Alliance side Alvechurch.

Paul West made a rare appearance at Hallen on Tuesday when Jay Powell's broken thumb again kept the defender on the sidelines.

Mullen's squad was reduced after training last week when Danny James informed the Robins chief that he was "packing it in".

Meanwhile, Mullen's two major summer signings alongside Burrow - Simon Marsh and Kirk Master - have moved on.

Marsh, though, will be back from holiday next week but Master has signed for Oadby Town with whom he found FA Cup success when his new side knocked out Stratford last Saturday 5-1.

The Taunton match is being sponsored by W G Margetson Jewellers, High Street, Evesham.