Evesham United 1, Bilston Town 2

IT had to end some time and, in reality, it was better that United's fabulous unblemished start to the season ended in a knockout competition.

However, defeat is always disappointing to accept and the manner of Tuesday's reverse against a competent - and also unbeaten - Bilston side should spark the players into life for the tough tests that await them.

"If we were going to get a kick up the pants then I would rather it be in a competition like this," said Phil Mullen.

"We were lightweight up front and it took us 15 minutes to settle after their early goal. We then controlled the game, passed the ball well and could have turned round in front.

"However, we just didn't play in the second half, played football in the wrong places and created little."

The precautionary absence of injured striking duo Sam Bowen and Dean Roberts was certainly a handicap the hosts could well have done without.

James Brown did find the net with an opportunist effort after 28 minutes, while Michael Stephenson worked tirelessly without really threatening the visitors' goal.

Bilston have a top striker of their own in Scott Voice and he delicately lobbed Damien Beattie within three minutes to notch his sixth goal in six Dr Martens League and Cup games.

However, he will be sorely missed after receiving a red card for allegedly directing a comment at an Evesham player after Leon Jackson had banged in the 75th minute winner.

Andy Smith denied Voice a second with a headed goalline clearance before Brown ended the best move of the night with an astute finish off the inside of an upright.

Stephenson and Matt Pendleton both peppered the Bilston goal from distance before the break, while Mark Wolsey's left-footer seconds after the restart stung the hands of keeper Sean Fieldhouse.

As United's passing game disintegrated, Bilston assumed command and, despite pushing Steve Taylor up front for the last 12 minutes and Voice's strange removal from the action, it was the visitors who emerged unscathed on a night when something had to give.