ADAM Mann was Evesham United’s match winner in the rural surrounds of Eynsham Park to extend the Robins’ unbeaten run to nine games in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

The former Gloucester City striker struck the only goal early in the first-half, his 11th of the campaign, to take Paul Collicutt’s side within touching distance of cementing a place in the play-offs.

North Leigh, who themselves are still in with a shout of making the play-offs, had only lost three times on home soil this season and included former Oxford United players Jamie Cook and Callum McNish in their line-up.

Evesham were without captain Matt Sysum, who was starting a three-match suspension, but welcomed back Will Wellon on the bench following a month out with a hamstring injury.

North Leigh began the game with a strong wind and slope in their favour but it was Evesham, playing against the elements, who got their noses in front on 16 minutes.

After winning a corner down the left, Lee Smith’s flag-kick was only cleared to the unmarked Mann and he fired home a superb volley into the top corner.

Despite Sysum’s absence, North Leigh’s powerful strike force of Cook and McNish posed little threat with Linden Dovey and Liam Harding both outstanding at the heart of United’s defence.

Evesham edged the rest of the half with Ashley Edenborough and Mann both forcing decent saves from keeper Matt Bulman and Smith drilling a couple of efforts wide of the target.

United showed the greater level of control after half-time, resulting in Mann firing into the side-netting and then Marcus Jackson blazing over.

The hosts upped their game in search of an equaliser and their only clear-cut chance arrived in the last minute when Jacob Hughes’ fierce drive was brilliantly turned behind by the diving Kevin Sawyer.

There was still time for substitute Lance Smith to go close for the visitors but, after racing clear, he dragged his shot wide with Bulman beaten.

Evesham United: Sawyer, Brown (Washbourne 82), Stanley, Harding, Slack (Wood 75), Dovey, Jackson, Wilson, Edenborough, Mann (Lance Smith 70), Lee Smith. Sub not used: Wellon. Attendance: 114.