A BROKEN-down bus, a sublime free-kick and two harsh bookings made Evesham United feel as though the world was against them – but they dug in for a well-earned 1-1 draw at AFC Totton.

Having kicked off at 4 o'clock, Ashley Williams separated the sides with a volley before receiving his marching orders for a second booking in the 27th minute.

Jack Masterton unleashed a glorious 30-yard free-kick to get Totton back on level terms before the interval with United indebted to keeper Kevin Sawyer for thwarting Craig Feeney and Tony Lee in the second half.

Alfy Whittingham went close with a header and Toby Adekunle missed the target for Totton late on with Robins boss Paul Collicutt left to ponder what might have been had referee Ben Knight not been so quick to brandish his cards.

“We had Ashley booked in the first 30 seconds," said Collicutt. "As you get a bit older, you feel like you get a bit wiser with these things but I was absolutely flabbergasted.

“It was a foul, yes, but in my day the referee would have considered us turning up late and told him ‘next time I’ll book you’. I found it incredible. There were a lot of bookings in what was not a dirty game.

“I was very grateful to the referee for getting the game on and you cannot play without officials, they have my utmost respect but when you see some of the decisions I can understand how some people go over the top.

“In my early days, I might overreact towards certain decisions. I would like to think I have mellowed over years but I must admit to finding it very difficult on Saturday.

“To book him under those circumstances was weak in my opinion and to see him sent off after less than half an hour over two very questionable cautions was a pity.

“One of their players said it had spoiled the game, meaning we tried that bit harder, dug in and they found it difficult to break us down.

“We were very resilient, though, and came away with a well-deserved point. It could have been two more, quite easily."

Robins: Sawyer, Dovey, Bennett, Turley (Rhodes, 88), A Williams, Liddiard, Bryan, Hancock, Powell (Campbell, 76), Francis (Binns, 68), Fahy. Unused subs: Odiero, Gray.