Redditch United 2 Evesham United 1

IN front of a hardy band of 174 fans, Reds star signing Alex Cowley again proved his worth with a decisive contribution.

With Rod Brown and co. appealing Paul West had handled in the area in the 73rd minute, Cowley snuck in behind a dazed Evesham rearguard and smashed home an emphatic winner to confirm his return from an ankle injury.

United had varied things by conceding in the first two minutes, rather than the last two, and found themselves up against it after keeper Richard Anstiss let a quick Nathan Jukes free kick wriggle out of his grasp.

Evesham scented blood and it took a terrific goalline block from full back Stephen Shaw in the 14th minute to prevent Shaun Pratt doubling their advantage.

But in the 38th minute, the hosts enjoyed some of the good fortune which has deserted them of late.

Captain Lee Knight had only one thing in mind when he lined up to take a 30 yard free kick, despite calls from his comrades telling him it was indirect.

His piledriver took a slight deflection off Darren Bullock in the wall but it was enough for the strike to stand as an own goal.

Pratt was narrowly wide with a header before Sutton repeated the miss at the other end.

Anstiss redeemed himself twice in the middle of the second half to deny midfield general Bullock but should have been picking the ball out of his net within seconds of Cowley's strike as Steve Lutz was presented with an open goal.

But for a change luck, and the points, went Redditch's way.