When City made the trip to Worcester to take on Evesham they knew that they would be up against gritty opposition who in recent weeks have proved difficult to beat. And so it proved. The home team quickly won the midfield battle with tight man marking, starving the Lilywhites of any meaningful possession. Lacking the experienced Adrian Cambridge, unavailable on this occasion, City’s midfield never really got moving.

Evesham could have gone ahead in the second minute when a confident appeal for a penalty was dismissed by referee Paul Hobday. City failed to clear a corner, the ball bobbling about and according to the home side, striking a City arm.

The Lilywhites made little headway in the first half, being limited to long shots from Tom Pepper, Robbie Nightingale and a further effort from Saturday’s hero, Tony Burke – but nothing to test keeper Nathan Vaughan.

At the other end, the City defence was having a far busier evening. Matt Mitchell was on hand to make a goal line clearance from Steve Lutz, whose header was destined for the net on 20 minutes. A minute later Danny Lennon whistled one over as did Lutz ten minutes later.

It was no great surprise when the goal did come. A quick throw in caught the City defence somewhat flatfooted. Simon Fitter received the throw, whose cross went directly into the net to open the scoring.

The City keeper Zac Barrett did well on the stroke of half time, pulling off an excellent save to deny Danny Hodnett.

A couple of half time changes – Steve Gentle and Laurie Stewart for Ash Fuller and Matt Mitchell – didn’t pep up the Lilywhites as planned. Within minutes of the restart the game was as good as over thanks to two strikes in a minute from Marcus Palmer. The first was courtesy of a Lee Chaffey fluff on the edge of the box, the second a drive past Barrett.

Three-nil up and the game was won. Evesham were happy to sit deep and let City mount whatever attacks they could muster. But playing against a ten-man defence proved too much and although willing, City were unlikely to breach a massed defence three times. Lee Chaffey popped up to score a late goal but it was a case of too little too late.

A fine run has come to an end. To make it to December before losing in the league is an impressive effort. Now City have to pick themselves up for the long trip to Wales on Saturday when Merthyr will be their opposition.