LINDEN Dovey's rare rocket fired Evesham United to the Southern League Division One South summit but boss Paul Collicutt reckons he should have had a hat-trick.

The skipper's seismic 20-yard blast on the half volley handed the Robins a 1-0 victory at Slimbridge, albeit after missing a couple of more presentable chances.

Defender Dovey's goalscoring prowess has been a source of discussion for player and manager with more expected now he has broken his duck.

"I've been on at him about it for a while," revealed Collicutt.

"I remember Linden getting one against Hereford which was something special, as was this one but he could quite easily have scored three.

"There were a couple of headers he could have done better with but then came up with a corker with about 10 minutes left.

"It was a big relief because Slimbridge were very dogged and put their bodies on the line. Credit to their keeper, he had an excellent game.

"They were difficult to break down but the pleasing thing was we still created chances. The disappointment was not taking them.

"It took something special to unlock them and the celebrations afterwards gave everyone a real buzz.

"We defended very well but when you create so much and don't score yourselves, it inspires confidence in the other side. They were dangerous on the break.

"I was just so pleased to get the result. It is a difficult place to go at the best of times and I am glad it has come and gone."

Robins: Rivers, Hancock, Humphreys, Turley, Tunnicliff, Dovey, Tucker-Dixon (Ellington, 58), Haskayne, Davies (Brown, 85), Tumelty (Davidge, 67), Thomas. Unused subs: Brain, Wellon.

Attendance: 210.