EVESHAM United hit back from going a goal down to clinch a well-earned 3-1 victory over in-form Winchester City at a breezy Jubilee Stadium.

Winchester arrived with seven victories from their last eight Southern League Division One South and West games but were soundly beaten by the Robins who remained third three points behind Tiverton Town.

Hot-shot Craig Feeney fired the Citizens into a 27th-minute lead but second-half goals by Lance Smith, Liam Harding and Adam Mann secured United's ninth home win of the campaign.

The start was delayed by five minutes due to the visitors' late arrival and United began on the attack with Smith and Lewis Binns testing City keeper Lewis Noice and Nick Stanley sending a drive just over.

Kevin Sawyer made a brave block to keep out the dangerous Feeney but against the run of play United fell behind on 27 minutes.

Sawyer saved well from Howard Neighbour but the ball fell kindly to Feeney who headed home from six yards.

United responded with top marksman Smith sending a header inches over following good work by Garyn Preen.

Noice gathered at the second attempt from Stanley and Mann's glancing header brushed the far post after more neat skills by the speedy Preen.

The second half was only two minutes old when Smith, who has attracted a seven-day approach from Premier Division side Redditch United, danced clear down the left and from a tight angle shot beyond Noice into the far corner for his 24th league and cup goal this season.

Youngster Archie Haskayne went near after a surging run down the middle but with 66 minutes on the clock United deservedly took a 2-1 lead.

Stanley's free-kick was only cleared as far as Harding on the edge of the box and the centre-half cleverly found the target with a measured finish into the roof of the net.

United completed the scoring 17 minutes from time.

Substitute Paul Fahy burst down the right and found Mann who took the ball in his stride before giving Noice no chance with a wonderful strike from 20 yards.

Mark Magee almost got a fourth before the end but Noice got down quickly to save at his near post.

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Haskayne, Harding, Williams, Preen (Fahy 64), Bryan (Sheehan 71), Smith (Magee 76), Mann, Binns. Subs not used: Odiero, Kennedy.

Attendance: 216.