SECOND-half goals by Mark Magee and Adam Mann ensured Evesham United a third consecutive victory in the local derby with Bishops Cleeve at Kayte Lane.

United remain in a final play-off spot in Southern League Division One South and West after a comfortable 2-0 win earned a fifth league double of the campaign.

In a blustery wind and on a bobbly pitch boss Paul Collicutt welcomed back midfielder Archie Haskayne from a three-match ban but was still without seven players through injury and suspension.

The first half was a scrappy affair but the best chance fell United's way when Bradley Gray's fierce drive was well saved by Matt Wieczorek.

The keeper held Liam Harding's header and Jacob Davidge's overhead kick sailed over at the other end.

United came out for the second half with all guns blazing and took the lead within three minutes with former Mitre Magee getting the final touch to Mann's drive and diverting the ball beyond Wieczorek.

The visitors took control and Gray got on the end of Nick Stanley's cross but Wieczorek somehow kept the ball out.

Magee scooped a shot over and Wieczorek touched Jordan Bryan's drive onto the bar.

In a rare Cleeve attack Davidge forced Kevin Sawyer into a decent save but on 75 minutes the hard-working Mann bagged his 11th goal of the season with a clinical finish after latching onto Chris Pate's misplaced header.

Cleeve substitute James Baldwin dragged a late effort wide with only Sawyer in his sights.

United finished on the attack with Magee and the tricky Garyn Preen getting in shots and Wieczorek holding onto Mann`s volley.

Collicutt said: "Cleeve is never an easy place to go but we were always in control and thoroughly deserved the win.

"They were always going to make life difficult for us but on the day I felt we were the better side and put in a professional performance.

"We knew what we had to do and a good second-half display won it for us."

United host Swindon Supermarine on Wednesday (7.45pm) before entertaining Taunton Town on Saturday (3pm) with both opponents going for the play-offs.

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Bryan, Harding, Williams (Sheehan 79), Preen, Gray (Fahy 69), Magee, Mann, Binns (Haskayne 45). Subs not used: Wood, Gilder.

Attendance: 205.