ADAM Mann scored the only goal as Evesham United beat Winchester City 1-0 to boost their Southern League Division One West play-off hopes.

The Jubilee Stadium hosts showed their intent from the first whistle when a Jordan Bryan shot was easily saved by Ryan Pryce.

Mann's long-range drive went just wide and prolific midfielder Matt Liddiard got on the end of a Garyn Preen corner but his effort sailed over.

In the 14th minute neither Bryan or Mann were able to make good contact on the ball in a crowded box.

Winchester had a penalty shout on the half-hour but the referee decided Liddiard's interception was fair.

Then Rob Carr’s shot beat keeper Kevin Sawyer only to hit the post in the best chance of the first 45 minutes.

Winchester’s Oli Bailey squandered an early second-half opportunity by putting his shot wide.

Evesham went back to the passing game that served them well for periods of the first half and got their reward in the 54th minute.

Joe Turley played out of midfield to Matt Bennett on the left and his cross into the box found Mann whose outstretched foot steered the ball into the back of the net.

Forward Lewis Powell turned in the Winchester box only to see his shot go just wide.

The Robins kept pressing and defender Andy Lewis' shot was smothered by Pryce.

Winchester lacked the final ball in their pursuit of an equaliser as Evesham's back four remained solid to keep a clean sheet for a valuable victory against their play-off rivals.

At the final whistle, Robins player Paul Fahy was given an emotional send-off as he heads off to settle in Finland.

Evesham: Sawyer, Lewis, Bennett, Turley, Wellon, Liddiard, Bryan, A Williams, Powell, Mann, Preen. Subs: Brown, Fahy, Hancock, Mehew, Ebbutt.

Attendance: 214.