EVESHAM United fell to a late winner as promoted Salisbury won the Southern League Division One South and West opener 1-0 after being reduced to 10 men.

A loose ball in the box looped over keeper Kevin Sawyer and Tommy Wright applied the decisive header four minutes from time for Steve Claridge’s side.

Salisbury had a man sent off on 49 minutes when George Colson was shown a second yellow card following a foul on Evesham’s Lewis Binns on the edge of the box.

Justin Bennett headed Tom Whelan’s corner over on seven minutes for the hosts before Brandon Mundy’s effort was blocked and Elliot Wheeler nodded a good opportunity off target.

Robins’ Paul Fahy got clear of the defence at the other end but his attempted lob over keeper Will Britt could not find the goal.

Although Colson fired just wide from outside the box, Paul Collicutt's visitors hit back with Elliot Kennedy forcing a fine save from Britt.

Salisbury were reduced to 10 men and should have fallen behind on 55 minutes when substitute Sam Pearson fired well over from Binns’ cross.

Defences got on top but Sawyer then had to save from Claudio Herbert before substitute Wright, on loan from Sutton United, bundled the late winner home.

However, the Robins were missing several key players and will hope for a first win from their opening home game at the Jubilee Stadium against Didcot Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Evesham: Sawyer, Sheehan, Stanley (Williams 73), Turley, Adams, Wellon, Kennedy (Brown 65), Williams, Smith (Pearson 45), Fahy, Binns. Subs not used: Prictor, Gilder.

Attendance: 724.