EVESHAM United have a five-point cushion to the team immediately outside the Southern League Division One South play-off zone despite being held to a frustrating goalless draw at lowly Mangotsfield United on Saturday.
Saturday’s clash in Bristol was a dour affair from the outset and, even though the Robins enjoyed greater spells of possession in the second half, they were unable to make the breakthrough and in truth neither side was worthy of three points.
Fifth-placed Evesham, who have played one or two more games than the sides immediately below them, will hope for better when they return to home soil against Hampshire outfit AFC Totton on Saturday.
It is a vital match as the visitors will arrive in Worcestershire sitting two places and six points below United but with two games in hand.
Mangotsfield had the better of the first half on Saturday and on 19 minutes Simon Ollis did well to work some space before firing low across goal and just wide of the right-hand upright.
The hosts should have taken the lead on 33 minutes when a poor clearance was collected by Luke Spokes who found the unmarked Louis Britton, but the latter’s shot was comfortably saved, and Britton went close again before the break when his low strike was saved gathered at the second attempt by Robins keeper Andy Hannah.
Evesham threatened in the dying embers of the first half when Steve Davies counter-attacked on the right and fizzed in a low ball across the face of goal but no team-mate was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
The visitors, who handed a debut to new centre-back Kai Fisher, recruited from Bristol Manor Farm, hit the woodwork on the hour mark from a corner but the best chance of the half fell to Spokes whose curling 18-yard strike was tipped around the post by Hannah.