DESPITE a spirited display, Evesham Untied failed to put a dent in Merthyr Town's title challenge in going down to a 4-1 defeat at the Jubilee Stadium.

United's makeshift side were always chasing the game against an experienced Merthyr outfit who now look favourites to finish top of the Calor Southern League Division One South and West.

Merthyr were into their stride from the start and went ahead on 16 minutes through Kayne McLaggon's precise finish after cutting in from the left.

Evesham made a positive response with Elliot Kennedy brushing the crossbar and Lance Smith heading over from Richard Mansell's free-kick.

Marcus Jackson then had his goalbound shot deflected wide but, in the last action of the half, McLaggon made it 2-0 with another excellent strike beyond keeper Louie Barnfather.

Ryan Prosser tested Barnfather on two occasions following the break, while at the other end substitute Michael Tambling was unlucky not to pull a goal back for the Robins when he skipped past a couple of defenders only to strike a post with Merthyr's keeper Lee Idzi soundly beaten.

Two goals in ten minutes, however, put the game out of Evesham's reach. Prosser provided the ball in for substitute Ian Traylor to make it 3-0 with an unstoppable shot past the diving Barnfather.

The impressive Prosser also capitalised on a misunderstanding at the back and rounded Barnfather to roll in number four and complete the scoring with four minutes to go.

In between those strikes, Marcus Palmer pulled one back for United after Idzi had parried away to deny Carl Brown.

Evesham: Barnfather, Wilson, Wellon, Botfield, Sauntson, Hitchman, Jackson (Tambling 50), Kennedy (Davis 79), Brown, Smith (Palmer 70), Mansell. Subs not used: Millard, Eyre.

Attendance: 219.