A THIRD successive single-goal victory maintained Evesham's seven-point cushion at the top of British Gas Business Division One Midlands It was never going to be an easy ride against a Town team that arrived at St George's Lane on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run but United's resolve served them splendidly again.

Daniel Lennon scored the only goal on the half-hour mark to ensure an eighth successive win.

A seventh clean sheet in those eight games is an indication of the club's current determination to deliver the title.

Defender Danny Hodnett again deputised for Anthony Watson who appeared for the final 15 minutes.

Another substitute, Lennon, grabbed what proved to be the winner just two minutes after entering the fray in place of the limping Danny Scheppel.

Goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan turned goal-maker when Steve Lutz headed his drilled 60-yard free-kick goalwards.

Nigel Maarman made a fine stop but could only direct the ball into the path of Lennon who fired home from eight yards.

Joe Clarke went close twice in the early stages before Mark Owen narrowly failed to convert Gary Hay's 22nd-minute cross.

A minute later, the top scorer was in the right place at the opposite end to clear Andy Fagan's header off the goalline.

Julian Old did likewise for Leighton three minutes before the break to deny Lennon a second. The replacement came closest to a second goal to calm the nerves after the restart.

Vaughan made a fine double stop from Ben Gallant before Lennon's mazy run gave him a clear sight of goal after 68 minutes but Maarman made the save. Lennon then produced a tame finish with only the keeper to beat before shooting over the top.

Owen had a decent penalty appeal turned down a minute later but it didn't matter as Paul West's men's defensive durability again came to the fore.