A FIFTH successive clean-sheet ensured a comfortable passage for Evesham United into the last 16 of the Birmingham Senior Cup at Common Road last night with a 1-0 win over Hednesford Town.

The Nationwide Conference visitors rarely threatened the home goal in the front half when Evesham should really have trebled their slender advantage.

Andy Hodgetts grabbed the winner after 28 minutes when he nodded in a Joe Licato cross, but the scorer missed a gilt-edged chance to seal the lead five minutes before the break when he hit a post with the goal gaping.

Andy Smith was also denied by the woodwork before Town's only chance in the half was foiled by Damien Beattie's stop from a Jake Sedgemore free kick.

Mark Maron headed over from a 46th minute Hednesford corne as the visitors came more into the game with substitute Stewart Piranie causing lots of problems.

Hodgetts had a header cleared off the line but Evesham rode their luck at the other end but was unlucky not to be given a penalty in the closing stages when Shaun Scott appeared to be pushed in the box.

Thumping

Beattie kept out Piranies thumping volley as the keeper collected another blank sheet leaving Evesham to contemplate a trip to West Bromwich for round three.

Evesham: Beattie 7, Smith 8, Preedy 7, Parmenter 9, Powell 8, Pendleton 8, Licata 7, McCartan 7, Hodgetts 7, Taylor 7 (Davies 7), Brown 7, (Pratt, 7), Sub (not used), Pearce.

Star Player: Parmenter.

Attendance: 90.