EVESHAM United extended their un-beaten league and cup run to nine games when they beat Gresley Rovers 2-1 in the Dr Martens Western Division at Common Road.

Despite the absence of twin strikers Sam Bowen and Dean Roberts, who between them have scored 19 goals this season, United always look-ed a class above their lowly opponents and should have killed the game off long before the Moatmen grabbed a late consolation three minutes from time.

The visitors' best chance of the game arrived as early as the first minute, but Kevin Allsop squandered the opportunity when he shot wide from point blank range.

Unmarked

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute. Steve McCartan picked out Steve Taylor wide on the right and the United skipper crossed to the unmarked Mark Wolsey who sent a diving header past Gresley 'keeper Simon Baldwin from six yards.

Before half time, 16-year-old Baldwin made good saves from Phil Preedy and Paul West as United continued to call the tune.

During the early exchanges of the second half McCartan, John Deakin and Shaun Pratt all went close to increasing the Robins lead but on 64 minutes they deservedly went 2-0 in front. A neat build-up down the left involving full back Matt Pendleton and Taylor, ended with Phil Preedy turning, a defender inside the area and side stepping Baldwin before slotting home his third goal in three games.

Substitute Joe Licata should have mad it 3-0 soon after replacing the limping Pratt, but after latching onto Matt Warren's poor back pass, Baldwin produced an excellent save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Damien Beattie made a great block from Neil Broadhurst, before Simon Tucker took advantage of a misunderstanding in the United defence to pull a goal back for Gresley when he lobbed over the stranded Beattie from the edge of the box.

Evesham: Beattie 7, Smith 8, Pendleton 7, West 8, Powell 7, Deakin 7, Wolsey 9, McCartan 7 (Parmenter 83), Taylor 8, Pratt 7 (Licata 80), Preedy 7. Sub not used: Shaw.

H Star man: Mark Wolsey.

Attendance: 89.