A KEVIN Banner goal gave Bromsgrove Rovers a 1-0 local derby victory at Evesham United last night.

Banner's strike on the stroke of half time was enough to give George Rooney's side their fourth straight Dr Martens Western win and move them into third place.

Rovers boss Rooney believed his side earned the points but is not looking at the league table.

He said: "I think we deserved it. It wasn't a vintage performance but it was a solid and competitive performance. We turned it into a war. We set about making sure that every tackle counted.

"The league position doesn't worry me. It's so tight up there, there's only six points separating so many clubs."

The match was one of precious few clear cut chances and also saw Evesham skipper Lee Knight sent off for two bookable offences.

The first half featured tight midfield battles and it took Rovers over half an hour to force a corner.

Knight, in his first game back after suspension, got his first caution midway through when he was rightfully shown yellow for persistent dissent towards the referee.

Danny Williams and Grant Pinkney both had good chances for the hosts before the break, Paul Wyatt saving from Williams with his feet.

But it was the visitors who scored with their first effort on goal. A cross from the right caused a defensive mix-up in the middle of the Evesham penalty area, allowing the ball to find its way through to Banner and he drilled it past Tim Clarke.

The game opened up after the break with Evesham putting the better moves together.

Tim Clarke was never really troubled by Rovers while Jermaine Clarke showed a determination up front for the hosts.

Evesham's best effort saw former Rover Peter Sutton have his fizzing shot pushed wide by Wyatt late on.

Knight got his marching orders with five minutes left for a foul.

EVESHAM: T Clarke 6, Smith 7, Bailey 6, Knight 7, Khela 6, Pinkney (sub Sutton 77 mins) 7, Burrow 6, Marsh 7, H J CLARKE 8, Pountney 6, Williams (sub Nicholls 45 mins) 7. Subs not used: Hands, West, Guest.

ROVERS: Wyatt 7, Frost 6, Hillman 6, Pope 6, Douglin 7, BECKETT 8, Jackson 6, Collins 7, Szewczyk 6, Benbow 6, Banner 7. Subs nots used: Lennon, Tomkins, Benton, Atkinson, Gandy. Attendance: 232.