PAUL Collicutt is backing Evesham United to return to winning ways – provided Saturday’s second-half performance becomes the norm.

The Robins dominated for long spells in a 1-1 Southern League West draw with Yate Town, a result that extended to six matches their run without victory in all competitions.

Collicutt felt his charges had been unfortunate not to break down the stubborn visitors but called on United to be masters of their own destiny ahead of trips to Slimbridge (Saturday, 3pm) and the manager’s former club Bishop’s Cleeve (Tuesday, 7.45).

“Saturday’s performance was better but it was a frustrating afternoon. Although I was grateful to get a goal late on having been one down, we still had chances to win after we equalised.

“I know some of the people involved with Yate and one of their directors said ‘how did you not win that?’

“You make your own luck in football, I am a great believer in that and as long as we keep performing like we did in the second half we won’t be far away from winning a game.

“We were not far away on Saturday. Yes, it was disappointing but there were plenty of positives to take from it.”

In better news for the Robins, defender Matt Bennett has rejected the overtures of league rivals Cirencester Town.

“Matt will be staying,” said Collicutt. “We admired him from a distance for a while before he signed and while he has had a mixed start, he will get better and better.

“He took a bit of a plunge to come here having played at Shortwood for a long time. It is pretty new for him here so he has taken time to settle but we know what we’ll get from him.”

Collicutt is understood to be assessing his options up front following the return of loan signing Ethan Moore to National South outfit Gloucester City.

On the injury front, Adam Mann is a doubt for Saturday having been withdrawn from the Yate clash but Linden Dovey and Lewis Binns could return.