EVESHAM United paid the penalty for some abysmal finishing when they went down 2-1 at home to Taunton Town in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

The defeat put an end to United's unbeaten three-match run but Phil Mullen's side have only themselves to blame.

They missed a host of chances, especially in the first half and a very ordinary Taunton side went on to grab a league 'double' in front of United's biggest crowd of the season.

The Robins dominated the opening 45 minutes but a combination of bad luck and schoolboy finishing saw the scoresheet blank at half time.

Nathan Jukes struck the crossbar and post, Gary Barnett shot into the side netting. Paul Hunter shot wide and Mark Wolsey, after doing all the hard work, shot tamely at 'keeper Ryan Draper.

Straight from the re-start, Jay Powell broke down the left and crossed to Hunter, who disappointingly headed over from only a couple of yards out.

Neil Illman created room for himself but volleyed over and them moments later sent an overhead kick just wide.

The writing was on the wall when Leon Hapgood caught the United defence napping on the hour but crashed his shot against a post.

On 70 minutes sloppy defending allowed Luke Dawkins to sweep home a cross from Robbie Herrera.

Three minutes later, United gifted the Peacocks a second. In attempting to clear, Barnett headed straight into the path of Hapgood and the Taunton striker lobbed in over Chris Taylor.

United were shell shocked, but on 83 minutes sharp thinking by Jukes saw Grant Pinkney latch onto his quickly taken free kick and clip the ball in past the advancing Draper.

Jukes then sent a low drive the wrong side of a post before the game finished on a sour note. Wesley Joyce and Taunton defender Dale Peckham were involved in a scuffle and were both dismissed by the referee for violent conduct.

Evesham: Taylor 6, Smith 7, Powell 6, Khela 7, Joyce 6, Jukes 8, Lutz 6, Barnett 5 (Pinkney 77), Illman 6 (James 80), Hunter 6, Wolsey 6 (Mullen 68, 5). Subs not used: Davies, Lader.

Attendance: 236.