EVESHAM United had to be content with a point from a 0-0 draw after a resilient showing by lowly hosts Mangotsfield United.

The Robins remain fifth in the final play-off spot in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South ahead of Saturday’s home game with sixth-placed AFC Totton (3pm).

Hard-working Mangotsfield, whose manager Ollie Price was serving a touchline ban, made life difficult for Evesham and were solid defensively to keep out the Simpson brothers and Steve Davies.

Centre-back Kai Fisher, who joined Evesham from Bristol Manor Park last week, marked his debut with a clean sheet.

Manager Paul Collicutt said: “It was disappointing but we have got to move on to the next game.

“Mangotsfield are in a dogfight and worked very hard for 90 minutes.

“There was a moment in the second half when we thought the ball had gone over the line but unfortunately the linesman wasn’t able to keep up with play and missed it.

“Ashley Williams also had a header cleared off the line but they had two or three chances as well.”

Keeper Kieran Hodges cleanly caught a 20-yard Kane Simpson free-kick on five minutes.

He then saw another free-kick charged down and home defender Kevin Davies blocked a goalbound effort on the line.

Third-from-bottom Mangotsfield threatened with Luke Spokes and Dan Demkiv having shots on target while keeper Andy Hannah easily collected a Louis Britton drive.

With half-time approaching James Ollis flew down the left and crossed for Demkiv who turned smartly and tested Hannah with a low drive.

Keeper Hodges had been injured in an airborne tussle with Cory Simpson on 36 minutes and came off at half-time with a dislocated shoulder.

The Robins upped the pressure in a goalless second half and hit the woodwork following a corner with ex-Mangos keeper Hannah tipping over a Britton effort at the other end.

After seven wins from nine games Evesham have now gone two matches without a victory.

Evesham: Hannah, Dovey, Tunnicliff, Williams, Anson, Fisher, Thomas (Haskayne 62), Davidge (Brown 75), Kane Simpson, Davies, C Simpson (Kye Simpson 66). Unused subs: Harding, Wellon.

Attendance: 187.