Evesham Utd 2, Clevedon Tn 3

A RARE defeat at the hands of one of their fellow promotion rivals brought with it a sense of inevitability that Evesham's push for Premier League status will once again be doomed to failure, writes Mervyn Collins.

After overcoming current top pairing Chippen-ham and Solihull United seemed set for to notch up a notable hat-trick when Steve Lutz saw his 42nd minute shot trickle through the fingers of Town keeper Jason Matthews.

The goal doubled Evesham's lead at Common Road on Saturday after top scorer Andy Hodgetts had volleyed in his eighth goal of the campaign after 27 minutes.

Third in the table Clevedon weren't deserving of their interval deficit although Luke Vinnicombe's prodded effort in stoppage time after some legal muscling from Dave Morrisey created havoc in United's defence proved the turning point.

Morrisey was to play an even bigger part in the Western Division proceedings, a role that certainly wasn't legal. After Tony Cook had fired in a 58th minute penalty conceded for a trip by Andy Smith on Sam Allison, the Town striker struck Steve Taylor from behind.

The home skipper's immediate reaction was to thump him back and this time the referee saw the punch and Taylor departed 20 minutes from time.

There was more injury turmoil for the hosts two minutes later when Hodgetts limped off but Lutz spurned a glorious chance restore Evesham's lead after 74 minutes but he directed a free header narrowly wide.

Allison wasn't so wasteful with 13 minutes left on the watch as the United defence was caught napping and the pacy striker lobbed Danny Watson.

United's ten men made a brave fist of the final 12 minutes when Shaun Pratt fired over, substitute Scott Mullen fired inches wide and Lutz saw a late header from another Smith centre hit the crossbar.

The full back was the architect of his side's opener midway through a scrappy opening period that United gradually took control of.

However, like Mark Wolsey on the opposite flank, Smith's forays became fewer and fewer as the game wore on while midfielder Steve McCartan's influence waned uncharacteristically.

Two chances went begging soon after the restart when balls flashed across the Clevedon goalmouth - a goal then would surely have clinched the points.

As it was a win for the visitors and similar maximum hauls for Chippenham and Solihull leaves injury-hit United with a lot of ground to make up if they are to remain in the title shake-up.