Old boy Mark Owen sent City crashing out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup with his first goal from open play in more than three months.

The former St George's Lane favourite, now on the Academy staff, expertly struck the 58th minute winner with a looping flick over Worcester keeper Paul Wyatt after Liam Daly had helped on a free-kick.

It was no more than the Robins deserved against a strong outfit sent out by Andy Preece that had been given the ideal start when Mark Danks gave the Conference North side an eighth minute lead.

The striker, who netted a hat-trick the last time he faced Evesham, should have made it 2-0 seconds later when he robbed Nathan Vaughan only to see the goalkeeper recover and snuff out the opening.

Danks's display was one of the few bright spots for the losers and he proved a constant thorn in United's side before being replaced by Adam Webster 21 minutes from time.

The substitute thought he had taken the semi-final into extra-time when he netted Graham Ward's injury-time cross from close-range but an assistant's flag cut short the celebrations.

Danks forced a fine stop out out of Vaughan after 20 minutes but the visitors went straight down the other end and Simon Fitter's superb curling free-kick levelled matters midway through the opening half.

Paul Wyatt was helpless to intervene and the City goalkeeper was then at full stretch to turn aside James Fox's left-footer.

Tempers started to flare as the half drew to a close and there were yellow cards for Mark Hands, Chris Cornes and Craig Wilding before the break.

Hands and Cornes were both quickly out of the action in the second half with injuries, while Wilding's speculative strike was an easy save for Vaughan.

Danks fired a shot narrowly over as City assumed control but, after Tom Warmer's heavy challenge on Liam Givans had earned the City midfielder a caution, Daly helped on the ensuing dead-ball kick and Owen's finish was worthy of what was an entertaining tie.

Andy Preece used all three replacements as he sought an equaliser and Webster came close to making it 2-2 but his free header from Warmer's cormer was straight at Vaughan.

Nick Colley was set up by Wilding 16 minutes from time but Vaughan proved equal to a stinging drive. Evesham's last line of defence was arelieved man seven minutes from time when Wilding raced clear only to drag his shot wide of Vaughan's left-hand upright.

Perhaps then City knew it wasn't going to be their night and Webster's last-ditch ruled out effort guaranteed Paul West's men a date with either Stourbridge or Halesowen in the two-legged final.

City: Wyatt, Ward, Watkins, Hodnett, Thompson (Khan 65), Pearce, Warmer, Walker, Danks (Webster 69), Wilding, Cornes (Colley 51).

Evesham: Vaughan, Watson, Fitter, Daly, S Hands, M Hands (Wellington 45), Lutz, Givans, Owen (West 79), Lennon, Fox. Subs, not used, Dulai, Shaw, Sanders.

Referee: J Holbrook (Kidderminster).

Attendance: 217.