EVESHAM were left to reflect on a missed opportunity after letting slip a winning position to lose 29-27 at home to Pinley.
The Avonsiders’ downward spiral in Midlands Two West (South) continued with a fifth defeat in a row, while Pinley’s victory allowed them to leapfrog Evesham into ninth spot.
Evesham took a losing bonus point but that was scant consolation.
The outcome was especially disappointing as Evesham held the lead for large parts of the game, although Pinley had the lion’s share of possession courtesy of their larger pack.
Will Bugg opened the scoring for the home side, with Mike Diston making the conversion and slotting two penalties before the break.
The visitors replied with a converted try and a penalty to trail 13-10 at half-time.
The second half was a fractious affair as both sides competed for victory.
Evesham scored through James Thomas and Wilf Watson and Diston converted both, but Pinley held their nerve to score three tries to take a bonus-point victory.
Evesham travel to Solihull-based outfit Silhillians, who lie sixth, on Saturday (2.15pm).