EVESHAM United secured their fourth straight Southern League Division One South and West victory without conceding a goal.

The Robins won 1-0 at leaders Merthyr Town with an 80th-minute strike from midfielder Nick Stanley ending the Welsh side’s unbeaten league home record this season.

It was the first competitive game the Martyrs had lost on their Cigg-e Stadium artificial pitch and the victory lifted Paul Collicutt’s side up to eighth.

Evesham showed they are true play-off hopefuls after Stanley gained possession just outside the home penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable drive to extend the Robins’ unbeaten run to five games.

Thanks to the first-half heroics of Kevin Sawyer, United kept their fourth clean sheet in a row and the impressive keeper has now conceded just one league goal in 450 minutes of football.

Table-toppers Merthyr, with the wind and driving rain behind them, had the best chances to win the game in the first-half but found Sawyer in top form.

He was forced into early action, making confident saves from Gavin Williams’ well-struck free-kick and Ryan Prosser’s cushioned header.

But the best from Sawyer was still to come as, from another Williams free-kick, Jarrad Wright’s deflected header looked a goal until the keeper superbly touched the ball over the bar.

Striker Prosser was denied when Sawyer kept out his shot that looked destined for the net.

The first-half, however, was not all Merthyr as Evesham looked dangerous on the break.

Adam Mann just failed to get a touch on George Washbourne’s cross, while keeper Tom Bradley got down well at his near post to deny Ashley Edenborough.

With the elements behind them, Evesham took the game to their hosts in the second period and were unlucky not to take the lead just past the hour mark when Washbourne’s free-kick hit the bar before going over.

With United pushing forward, gaps appeared in Merthyr’s defence and Stanley took full advantage with his well-executed drive for the winner.

Evesham visit fifth-placed Larkhall Athletic in the league on Saturday (3pm) and mid-table Cinderford Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Evesham: Sawyer, Wood, Wellon, Harding, Sysum, Dovey, Jackson (Brown 29), Stanley, Edenborough (Smith 65), Mann (Drake 89), Washbourne. Sub not used: Binns. Attendance: 305.