EVESHAM United were found wanting when it mattered as play-off rivals Winchester City eased to a 2-0 victory at the Jubilee Stadium on Saturday.
Only the visiting fans among the crowd of 227 were pleased with what they witnessed as goals from Jamie Barron and Tyrell Mitford in the tenth and 80th minutes respectively put paid to the Robins.
The match began in exciting fashion as both sides played attacking football but, once Winchester had taken the lead with a close-range finish, the Robins lost any sense of momentum.
The home side failed to produce any flowing football and would have fallen 2-0 down around the hour mark had Simba Mlambo not fired wide when it was easier to score having intercepted a poor pass out of the home rearguard.
Evesham’s only real moment of hope in their search for an equaliser arrived in the 67th minute when Kane Simpson was lining up a 20-yard free kick, but the striker could only fire straight into the hands of the visiting keeper.
The outcome was put beyond doubt when the ball was headed towards the Evesham goal and substitute Mitford was able to flick the ball beyond Andy Hannah and into the net.
Paul Collicutt’s Robins, who remain in the Southern League Division One South play-off places in fifth spot – but having played three more games than sixth-placed Winchester City who sit four points adrift – visit mid-table Larkhall Athletic on Saturday.