IT proved to be a man of the match display from Evesham United’s Daniel Griffiths as he scored a late winner against Paulton Rovers to pinch all three points to stay amongst the play-off places in the Southern League Division One table.

The Robins were looking to bounce back from their agonising last minute defeat at AFC Totton the Saturday before and they did so in style as they saw off the challenge of a promotion rival in the process.

Owen James put the hosts ahead in the first-half but an equaliser from Paulton's Leo Eglin brought the scores level only two minutes after the break.

Supporters of Evesham will be getting used to tense second-halves by now and it was no different this time around but they ended up happy enough as Griffiths fired home the winner in the 67th minute.

The result leaves The Robins in fourth place but only four points clear of 11th placed Paulton, so the race for play-off places remains extremely tight.

That fact alone gave this game significant importance and it was almost the worst start for Evesham but Paulton's David O'Hare could only blaze over from close range.

But it was Evesham who broke the deadlock when Owen James scored in the 42nd minute to ease the nerves of the 300 in the ground.

The half-time lead did not last long as Elgin weaved his way into the box before sliding the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Paulton had chances to go ahead but the crossbar twice came to the hosts' rescue as Nuno Felix and Ed Butcher were denied.

But Evesham withstood the pressure and Griffiths tucked home following James' pull-back.

Paulton pushed for another leveller but the home side saw out the game to secure another nerve-wracking three points.