Evesham Utd 3, Brislington 2

A FOURTH goal in six matches from Darren Bullock sealed Evesham's place in the first qualifying round of this season's FA Cup, writes Mervyn Collins.

The United skipper struck the winner 12 minutes into a frantic second period after the home side had tossed aside a two-goal cushion.

Phil Mullen's men appeared on course for an emphatic replay victory on Tuesday after a volley from Nathan Jukes and a typical predator's strike from Leroy May had given the Bristol-based visitors a two-goal deficit to make up after just 21 minutes.

The Screwfix Direct Premier League outfit, though, hit back in battling fashion to level the tie with four minutes of the first half remaining.

It was anybody's match after the restart but Bullock's swerving drive ended hopes of an upset and earned the Robins a long trek to Falmouth on Saturday week.

Evesham seemed determined to make up for Saturday's poor show and both Bullock and Jukes fired narrowly wide in the opening five minutes.

Rob Claridge then gave notice of his later intentions when he shot wide with only Darren Steadman to beat but Jukes wasn't quite so wasteful in the 15th minute when May teed him up after Steve Lutz had nodded down Any Smith's deep cross.

Six minutes later it was 2-0. Jukes played the ball into the Brislington box, where two defenders made a hash of the clearance and May nipped in to heap more misery on the shellshocked visitors.

Claridge then reduced the arrears after 33 minutes with a glancing header from a free-kick and the home defenders were again absent when the striker headed in his side's second from a right wing cross.

So, from seemingly coasting to a simple success, United had a game on their hands.

A huge appeal for handball fell on deaf ears before Bullock found the corner of the net to make it advantage Evesham.

Lutz dragged a half chance wide 15 minutes from time, Bullock's goalbound thumping header struck a Brislington head, while May's follow-up looped over the top.

Claridge then missed a glorious chance to make it 3-3 and complete his hat-trick when he volleyed over from ten yards after Darren Stead-man's weak punch.

That was to prove the gallant visiting side's final threat at the end of 180 minutes that the Common Roaders will be glad to have emerged from unscathed.

Manager Mullen was understandably delighted with Tuesday's win. "It was a cracking game and credit to Brislington who I thought were a decent side," the Common Road boss admitted.

"I wasn't really concerned after Darren had given us the lead but they certainly gave it a go although we were comfortable at the back."

It's back to the business of picking up league points on Saturday as United chase a fourth straight home win when Rocester are the visitors for a Dr Martens League Western Division clash.

The Robins, who could be without the injured May this weekend, then visit Bedworth on Tuesday when a first win on their travels will give the club a further boost.