EVESHAM United's play-off dreams are all but over after a disappointing 2-1 defeat at neighbours Bishops Cleeve in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

The hosts were good value for their win and, apart from a decent spell in the final 15 minutes, United never really got going.

Home keeper Matt Wieczorek was rarely tested and only after Cleeve's Shane Bumphrey had been sent off did United step up a gear in a must-win game.

United's fans, who made up the majority of Cleeve's biggest crowd of the season of 176, saw Bumphrey score twice before his dismissal, which was enough to avenge a 2-0 defeat at the Jubilee Stadium last month.

United looked the more threatening early on with Wieczorek making routine saves from Adam Mann and Karnell Chambers.

Cleeve skipper Aaron Drake's brave block then denied Mann.

The Mitres were dangerous on the break as Ed Major scooped his shot over and Jack Watts pulled an effort wide.

Liam Harding volleyed wide for United but, with six minutes to go before half-time, Steve Cleal's men broke the deadlock.

Cleeve won a free kick on the right and, from Jack Horrell's delivery, Humphrey sent a diving header beyond Kevin Sawyer.

Soon after the restart, United fell further behind when Jordan Lymn's low cross struck a United hand in the box and Bumphrey stepped up to make it 2-0 from the spot.

Sawyer prevented Bumphrey from adding a third before the impressive home player was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Linden Dovey, leaving the hosts to play out the final 11 minutes with 10 men.

United threw bodies forward and the pressure was rewarded on 84 minutes when Carl Brown pulled a goal back, firing low into the bottom corner for his fourth goal in three games.

Evesham pressed for an equaliser, sending Sawyer up for a succession of corners, but, with Drake outstanding at the back, Cleeve defended for their lives to cling on for a memorable win.

The Robins host North Leigh on Saturday (3pm) five points off the play-offs with only two games left.

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, Green, Harding, Sysum, Wellon, Sloggett (Stanley 53), Williams (Wood 60), Mann, Brown, Chambers (Modest 65). Sub not used: Thompson.