Evesham United 1, Bedford Town 1

HAVING been ripped apart at the back more than any Evesham side managed by Dave Busst, the Robins amazingly hit back to claim a point... and it should have been three, writes Mervyn Collins.

Saturday's high-flying visitors could have been four up after 13 minutes as United's ploy of playing three at the back with Matty Hall and debutant Mike Feely acting as wing backs, was a total shambles in the opening 45 minutes.

Town exposed the space behind the latter pair time after time and only a series of fabulous stops by Dave Adey and a string of misses prevented Busst's men from crashing to an embarrassing defeat.

An incredible transformation after the break saw the boot on the other foot as the home side created several decent chances and Richard Ball was denied a 66th minute winner when he was dubiously flagged offside after Lee Knight's terrific angled volley had been pushed out by Ian Brown.

Adey produced three saves in the opening 13 minutes - a flying stop to keep out Rob Miller's drive was the pick, while Chris Dillon spurned an earlier chance from close range as Bedford seemed set to heap more misery on United's campaign.

Adey parried Dillon's 25th minute strike and then watched Miller hit the loose ball over the bar but, after the latter had brought Adey to his knees four minutes later, the keeper was helpless to prevent James Hatch netting after Dillon had struck a post.

Rene Howe dragged a 40th minute effort wide and his lack of finishing skills were matched at the other end where Steve Duncan twice spurned decent chances.

Feely's weaker right foot ruined his chances of a goal after 26 minutes but the full back's long throw in stoppage time was flicked on at the near post and Ball blasted the ball past a despairing Brown.

Bedford saw two early second half efforts blocked y last-ditch defending before Duncan again showed a lack of finesse inside the box when sending a 57th minute volley well wide.

Ball and Jae Martin also snatched at chances inside the 18-yard area before Brown saved Ball's 76th minute shot on the turn.

Richie Robinson replaced a limping Knight 16 minutes from time and he was joined in the fray by Jermaine Clarke four minutes later as the hosts sensed a winner.

However, it was Adey to the rescue again to keep out a stinging Hatch drive before Clarke's 20-yarder flashed past a post at the opposite end.

Howe was thwarted by the home hero before slicing another shot wide but the prospect of a mauling could so easily have turned into a maximum had Clarke not sent a glorious 88th minute chance wide of Brown's right-hand upright.