EVESHAM United moved up a place to third as a result of last night's 2-1 victory against Atherstone United at Sheepy Road.

United lie six points behind leaders Bilston Town with a game in hand and travel to play the Steelmen Saturday.

The Robins were made to battle for their seventh away win of the season against a rugged and hard-working Atherstone side.

Andrew Hodgetts, United's two-goal hero against Cinderford on Saturday, made his first start in place of the injured Steve Taylor and full-back Matt Pendleton retur-ned after a one match suspension.

The Adders rocked United by taking a fourth-minute lead. Stuart Corns' corner on the right was missed by everyone and was turned in by Steve Farmer at the far post.

Five minutes later United were level. Mark Wolsey rode a couple of tackles on the left before crossing to Shaun Pratt, who cleverly lost his marker before heading past Dale Belford in the Adders goal.

The second half was keenly contested but saw little goalmouth action. Damien Beattie kept the scores level with a wonderful close-range block to deny Andy Marlowe.

But nine minutes from time and against the run of play United snatched the winner. Substitute Joe Licata, who had replaced Steve McCartan, powered his way into the Atherstone box before being upended by John Neville. Licata picked himself up and blasted home the spot kick past Belford.

Atherstone threw everything at United in the closing stages and despite eight minutes of injury time the United defence, with Paul West outstanding, held on to bag three more valuable points.

Evesham: Beattie 7, Smith 7, Pendleton 6, West 8, Powell 7, Deakin 6 (Parmenter 70, 6), Wolsey 7, McCartan 6 (McCartan 70, 6), Pratt 7, Hodgetts 6, Preedy 6 (Brown 78).

H Star man: Paul West.

Attendance: 127.

* Evesham will entertain Conference side Morecambe in the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy on February 3, after Morecambe beat Burscough 3-0 in a third round replay last night.