EVESHAM United secured the bragging rights over neighbours Bishops Cleeve with a 4-2 midweek victory after an entertaining encounter at the Jubilee Stadium.

In front of their biggest crowd of the season of 335, Paul Collicutt's side had to graft for all three points against hard-working visitors.

But, after a dominant second-half display, the Robins finally overpowered their dogged opponents for an eighth league win in a row.

United remained unbeaten at home in Southern League Division One South and West and moved up to third in the table, 11 points adrift of runaway leaders Hereford with one game in hand.

Evesham keeper Sam Gilder came in for the unavailable Kevin Sawyer but Cleeve lacked cutting edge in the final third despite looking threatening in the first half.

Aaron Drake, James Baldwin and Jack Horrell were all wasteful before Gilder saved well from Jack Watts after he got clear.

But United began to put their game together with Nick Stanley pulling a shot just wide.

On 33 minutes after a spell of pressure, the Robins broke the deadlock through Lewis Binns, who curled a delightful shot beyond keeper Matt Wieczorek into the far corner after good work by Lance Smith.

Top scorer Smith pounced in the 49th minute to sweep the ball over the line after Wieczorek failed to hold onto Stanley's powerful free-kick.

Ten minutes later, United increased the lead courtesy of substitute Louis McGrory's splendid through-ball to Smith, who rounded several defenders before claiming his 17th goal of the season.

Harlie Price raised Cleeve's hopes by pulling a goal back in the 73rd minute but two minutes later Evesham substitute Jake Sloggett arrowed home a superb drive from the edge of the box.

Smith prodded wide from inside the six-yard box and Wieczorek touched over McGrory's 20-yard piledriver.

Cleeve's Price got his second of the game in the last minute with a simple finish past the diving Gilder.

Evesham visit Wimborne Town in the league on Saturday (3pm) and host Wantage Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

United: Gilder, Dovey, Odiero, Turley, Harding, Sheehan (McGrory 55), Fahy, Stanley, Smith, Mann (Magee 62), Binns (Sloggett 72). Subs not used: Bryan, Wellon.