EVESHAM United could not make it six wins on the bounce as they lost 2-1 at home to unbeaten Yate Town in Southern League Division One South.

In the early exchanges both sides looked to be struggling to adapt to a slick surface following a lunchtime downpour.

In an even start the first chance fell to second-placed Evesham in the 16th minute when a passing move involving Cory Simpson, Archie Haskayne and Steve Davies ended with Yate clearing away from danger.

Still chances came from both sides with neither seeming able to find the final ball.

In the 35th minute Simpson got on the end of a one-two move with Joe Tumelty but his low shot was easily saved by the Yate keeper down to his left.

In the final minute of the first half the visitors showed they were not happy to come to the Jubilee Stadium just to make up the numbers.

Evesham's Linden Dovey was called upon to clear off the line when David Sims-Burgess' shot evaded the Evesham keeper.

As the second half got under way Yate looked the livelier of the two sides.

They were rewarded in the third minute of the period when a superb free-kick from 25 yards by Nick Peare gave Robins keeper Harvey Rivers no chance.

It was Yate’s time to take control but on the hour Carl Brown's first touch after coming off the Evesham bench was a shot that was easily saved by away keeper Ross Grimshaw.

Davies had an opportunity to level on 66 minutes but missed from eight yards.

Two minutes later following a corner Evesham had a shot cleared off the line by a defender although many of the supporters behind the goal felt it was with his hand.

Back came third-placed Yate again and a pass split the defence as Sims-Burgess evaded the offside trap to round the keeper and slot home.

A late consolation goal came the way of the hosts when Davies tapped home a Tyrone Tucker-Dixon cross.

The 244-strong crowd left the ground feeling what if or if only on what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon.

Evesham host Moneyfields on Sunday in the FA Trophy extra preliminary round (3pm) and then Stourbridge in the Southern League Challenge Cup first round on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Evesham: Rivers, Hancock, Humphreys, Turley, Tunnicliff, Dovey, Davidge (Tucker-Dixon 73), Haskayne, Davies, Tumelty (Brown 59), Simpson (Brain 79). Unused subs: Wellon, Price.

Attendance: 244.