A SECOND-half hat-trick by Josh Parsons put paid to Evesham United's hopes of making it three wins on the bounce at the Webbs Wood Stadium last night.

The Swindon striker struck three times in 10 minutes to keep the home side in third spot in Calor Southern League Division One South and West.

Evesham were the better side leading up to the goals and dominated the play-off hopefuls for over an hour.

The first-half was all United but a series of near-misses resulted in half-time arriving with the scoreline blank.

The lively Marcus Jackson went close three times and Lance Smith shot into the side-netting after rounding keeper Sam Warrell.

Swindon were penned in their own half and, leading up to the interval, Joey Smith glanced Richard Mansell's corner just over at the near post.

Then Jackson and Lance Smith tested Warrell with first-time shots that were well saved.

Ben Evans, on his Evesham debut, went close on the hour as the chances continued to fall United's way after playing a neat one-two with Carl Brown on the edge of the Swindon box.

However, three quick-fire goals turned the game on its head. Parsons got his first on 70 minutes with a speculative free-kick that found its way past Louie Barnfather into the bottom corner.

Seven minutes later, Ashley Edenborough was harshly adjudged to have been tripped in the box, resulting in Parsons making it 2-0 from the penalty spot.

Another dubious decision soon after enabled Parsons to complete his hat-trick with another free-kick from outside the box.

This knocked the stuffing out of a decent Evesham performance as they battled to the end but were unable to find a way past keeper Warrell.

Evesham : Barnfather, Tambling, Mansell, J Smith, Wellon, Sauntson, M Jackson, N Jackson (Dovey 70), L Smith, Brown, Evans (Hayes 82). Subs not used: Wilson and Hitchman.

Referee: Mr B James (Carterton).