Gloucester City 3, Evesham Utd 1

DISPENSING with his top scorer looked to have been an inspired move but Phil Mullen was left to reflect on a seventh away reverse in eight trips on the road this term.

Mark Shepherd was left languishing on the bench with Grant Pinkney the solitary striker as the Evesham boss switched things round in what proved another failed attempt to find a winning formula.

A fit again Marc Burrow returned at the back to allow Inderpaul Khela to resume in midfield alongside the recalled Nathan Jukes and, for 67 minutes, the changes worked.

Craig Ladek was handed the goalkeeper's jersey when Tim Clarke pulled out injured and the replacement was quickly in the action with a superb early stop.

Scampering clear

The visitors grabbed the lead after 21 minutes when Paul Oakey outpaced the City rearguard after Jukes had sent the winger scampering clear.

Jimmy Cox twice wasted good openings before the break but it was Oakey again who threatened soon after the restart but his shot lacked power.

Junior Christie replaced the ineffective Craig Ball but fortune favoured the hosts with 23 minutes remaining when Cox, seemingly yards offside, raced clear to beat Ladek.

The scorer turned provider a minute later and Andy Hoskins nipped in between Ladek and Linton Bailey to give Gloucester the lead and a second win over the Robins in the space of 14 days was as good as sealed four minutes later when Cox was again allowed the space to fire in a searching centre that Keith Knight headed home.

As if conceding three goals in five minutes wasn't bad enough, Wesley Joyce, a second half substitute for Burrow, was red-carded in the final minute for alleged retaliation - a decision that summed up a miserable afternoon for the visiting contingent and the match officials!

Gary Barnett's call from Kidderminster later that evening was another huge blow for the under pressure Mullen who has now seen his side lose five times in seven matches - all on opposition territory.