EVESHAM United beat BetVictor Southern League Division One South play-off rivals Melksham Town 1-0 at the Jubilee Stadium.

A goal 13 minutes from time by loanee Jamie Lucas eventually proved enough to move the eighth-placed Robins to within two points of the top five on Saturday.

Evesham had a strong wind at their backs in the opening half but the Wiltshire visitors had the first opportunity on five minutes when Josh Ford fired wide following a corner.

Although Adam Page's follow-up from a blocked corner narrowly missed the target for Evesham, Melksham hit back when on-loan keeper Lochlan Robertson had to save well from Steve Murray who had raced through.

The Robins tried their luck from outside the box with striker Paul Sullivan firing wide and Lucas shooting straight at away keeper Jamie Bartlett.

But Robertson kept the score goalless at half-time with a fine late save from Phil Ormrod.

With rain now lashing down Harry Franklin nodded over a corner for the Robins early in the second period.

Melksham built pressure with Robertson saving a Luke Ballinger free-kick and the home defence showed commitment to deny the sixth-placed visitors.

Finally the only goal arrived and it was at the other end as the ball looped up from a tackle on the halfway line for Lucas to race towards goal and fire low into the net.

Melksham searched for an equaliser but Robertson tipped over from a wayward defensive clearance and Jack Ball shot over with virtually the last kick of the game.

The Robins visit mid-table Devon outfit Willand Rovers on Saturday (3pm).

Evesham: Robertson, Roberts, Page, Paddock, Maslen-Jones, Dinsley, Franklin, Bragoli, Sullivan, Chilton (Tonge 46), Lucas (Chamberlain). Unused subs: Smikle, Staten, Cresswell.

Attendance: 221.