BOSS Paul Collicutt hailed Evesham United for getting back to basics in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Larkhall Athletic.

Collicutt had lambasted United’s performance levels in the home defeat to play-off rivals Winchester City seven days previously but was heartened by the spirit shown in a return to winning ways.

Top scorer Kane Simpson made it 15 goals since joining the Robins in December, nodding in at the back post after a cross from the right had been flicked on by strike partner Steve Davies.

Simpson went on to miss a penalty after left-back Will Wellon got clipped from behind but it proved academic as Evesham, sat in the final Southern League One South play-off berth, maintained a four-point cushion over closest rivals Winchester.

“We made a good start with Kane scoring after a few minutes. That gave us a big lift and the lads responded with an encouraging performance,” said Collicutt.

“Having witnessed what I did the week before I am not getting carried away with anything, though. We still have a lot of hard work to do in the last nine games but if we can put in similar displays to Saturday’s we will make life difficult for the opposition.

“That’s what we have to reinforce with the players. Yes we got three points, yes we got a clean sheet but we must find that consistency.

“Credit where it is due, the lads put in a good shift. We did enough talking after the loss the previous week and in fairness we saw what we wanted to from them.

“It was better but there was still room for improvement. They know what they can do, so do I and if we can reach those levels then we will give ourselves chance.

“The energy pleased me the most, the levels were good and one player that stood out was Carl Brown – he did extremely well.”

Simpson’s rare miss kept things tight until the end but Collicutt was in forgiving mood.

“The lad seemed to catch Will from behind. It looked like a penalty but it was one of those that could have gone either way like so many we see.

“In the end Kane missed it anyway, of course that was disappointing but what he has done since coming in cannot be knocked.

“The lad certainly has goals in him and he knows the tally I want from him by the end of the season.

“The result was all the more satisfying when you consider we were missing a few but hopefully some of those should be available again by the weekend.”

Evesham: Hannah, Dovey, Wellon, Hancock, Fisher, Harding, Thomas, Brown, Kane Simpson, Davies, Page. Subs: Davidge, Kye Simpson, Anson.

Attendance: 110.