Malvern Town 0, Evesham United 1

ONLY the heroics of Lewis Skyers kept struggling Town in the match but even he couldn't prevent Evesham recording a sixth straight Southern League Division One Midlands success and a tenth in 11 outings.

The home goalkeeper was beaten as early as the third minute when Mark Owen seized on hesitation in the Town defence to lob Nathan Vaughan's long kick over Skyers from 15 yards.

Danny Scheppel and Michael Hayden were both denied by excellent stops from the Malvern custodian in a first half dominated bu the Robins in which the hosts failed to trouble the United rearguard.

It was a different story after the break when Malvern, chasing a first league win of the season, came more into the game as Evesham's slick passing of the first half deserted them and they resorted to long ball tactics.

Owen was denied a second after 55 minutes when his shot from Daniel Lennon's cross struck the crossbar.

Paul Molloy used all three substitutes in an attempt to conjure up an equaliser but Vaughan was a virtual spectator although he was forced to push out Damion Jarrett's 25-yarder.

Skyers, too, was also called into action, blocking a shot from United replacement Allando Davis and then producing the save of the day to prevent Owen netting his 21st of the season after Wesley Joyce had helped on a free-kick.

The Robins were almost made to pay for their abject display in stoppage-time but Matt Aubrey could only volley wide of Vaughan's left-hand upright when unmarked 15 yards from goal.