Evesham Utd 1, Feckenham 2

ANOTHER embarrassing exit from the Worcester Royal Infirmary Challenge Cup on a night when Evesham's fringe players failed miserably to impress their boss . . . and more importantly the Common Road faithful.

Not that that many bothered to turn up on Tuesday and if Phil Mullen doesn't quickly dispense with the majority of players on show, then more fans will stay away.

The departed Parmenter, Pendleton and Preedy had more skill and commitment between them than nine of the midweek motley crew.

Yes, the result didn't really matter but to see this standard on show was an insult to the paying public.

Andy Smith and Jay Powell were the only regulars on show but, against a side next to bottom of the Midland Combination Premier Division, any squad with Dr Martens League title ambitions should have been capable of overcoming.

In fact, United only looked like salvaging pride when Steve Lutz and Paul Hunter were introduced for the last half-an-hour or so but the equaliser they perhaps deserved would have denied the supporters valuable drinking time had extra-time been required.

Keys Sibanda was unlucky to have an eighth minute effort wiped out for handball by referee Mr Hine, another deserving of a move to lesser ranks.

Outstanding Feckenham goalkeeper Dave Inman produced a brilliant save to deny Grant Pinkney before Lee Williams and Craig Ladek combined to gift Brian Powell a 35th minute opener.

Four minutes later, Justin Danken-bring doubled the lead and an upset was on the cards.

Ladek did well to prevent Paul Court sealing the tie after the restart but, when Scott Mullen clipped the bar with a 55th minute free-kick, the fightback was on.

However, it took the Robins until 15 minutes from time to beat a defiant Inman when assistant manager Paul Davies headed in Mullen's flag-kick.

Brian Powell wasted a glorious chance to end home hopes before an almighty scramble saw Davies denied on the line and another goalbound strike hacked clear.

Feckenham celebrated while the United players were left to reflect on another Infirmary Cup hiccup. Rem-ember that 7-5 defeat at Ledbury last season!

That even more embarrassing evening was followed by a 6-0 home defeat at the hands of Chippenham. Surely, a repeat can't be on the cards when Weston-super-Mare come to Common Road on Saturday to face a side with an unblemished home record in the Western Division.

What is sure, however, is that only Andy Smith of Tuesday's starters will be certain of a start on Saturday.

Powell serves a one-match ban but skipper Darren Bullock is back. Wesley Joyce started a three-week suspension on Monday so the Eve-sham side should at least encourage the disgruntled spectators to return to see if a seventh straight home league win can be recorded.

The team should read Taylor, Smith, Khela, West, Gardiner, Jukes, Pratt, Bullock, Lutz, Lewis and Hunter. The substitutes won't be that easy to select!