ADAM Mann’s rocket ensured Evesham United turned the tables on derby rivals Bishop’s Cleeve on a day of heightened emotions for boss Paul Collicutt.

Southern League West’s bottom club threatened to dent, even end, United’s play-off push at the Jubilee Stadium before Archie Haskayne’s equaliser got quickly followed by Mann’s unstoppable drive from the edge of the box.

The Robins still did not have it easy but saw out a 2-1 triumph that finally allowed Collicutt to celebrate his birthday in style with a win against his former club that kept alive hopes of taking part in the end-of-season lottery.

“When you have these connections and lads know the players on the opposite side, people seem to try a bit harder,” said Collicutt.

“People put in that extra 10-15 per cent that might have been missing from previous games.

“There is no two ways about it, had Cleeve put in the level of performance they did in the two games against us all season they would not be where they are now.

“They worked very hard and made life difficult for us. It was a banana skin and I was pleased to come away with the points in the end.

“They went 1-0 up and put 10 men behind the ball. Archie got one back at a good time and then Manny scored an absolute screamer soon after which settled things down. I was pleased to get it out of the way.

“We went in a goal down at half-time and we told the lads they had 45 minutes to save the season. In fairness, we came up trumps and played a lot better in the second half.”

With Cleeve fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table, both teams looked nervous and gave away possession cheaply during the opening exchanges.

The visitors gained an early foothold when ex-Robin Jack Watts dribbled into a crowded Evesham box and was able to get away a soft shot which crept past unsighted keeper Kevin Sawyer.

United looked to hit straight back with Carl Brown acrobatically getting on the end of a Garyn Preen cross, Jordan Bryan dragging a shot wide and Haskayne hitting a low drive straight at keeper Sam Gilder.

Cleeve also had an opportunity to increase their lead when a Joe Noakes header sailed narrowly over the bar from a James McCarthy corner 27 minutes in.

To their credit, Evesham came out for the second half with the bit between their teeth as Mann grazed the crossbar.

The pendulum swung when Haskayne was able to move across the Cleeve box and eventually got away his shot which struck the post and nestled in the back of the net after 58 minutes.

With Cleeve’s bubble burst, Haskayne’s rocket forced the very best from Gilder but with pressure building the decider soon came.

Mann found himself on the edge of the Cleeve box and let fly with an effort that left Gilder with no chance just past the hour mark.

Evesham seized control from there and despite Cleeve’s best efforts, took a much-needed win into a crunch final three matches of the season.

Robins: Sawyer, Dovey, Hancock, Turley, Lewis, Liddiard, Bryan (Mehew, 78), Haskayne, Brown (Dunbar, 50), Mann, Preen (Ebbutt, 73). Unused sub: A Williams.