EVESHAM United flew up to second in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West with a fine 5-1 win at fellow play-off hopefuls Mangotsfield United for their third victory in a week.

The Robins went ahead in the 18th minute as Lance Smith squared for Lorcan Sheehan to fire across keeper Kyle Phillips for their opener.

A cross from the visitors’ left by Lewis Binns seven minutes later was met by Tom Warren who put the ball in his own net as Adam Mann was lurking for a tap-in.

Soon after Liam Monelle latched onto a defensive mistake and lobbed advancing keeper Kevin Sawyer to make it 2-1.

But the Mangos failed to learn their lesson as Sheehan found space down the left and crossed for Smith who gave the visitors breathing space at 3-1.

In the 78th minute an inswinging corner was not dealt with and Smith converted from close range at the back post.

The visitors made it five after good work by Smith and Mann with the ball falling for Paul Fahy who rolled it home with ease.

With Tiverton Town losing 3-2 at home to fellow high-fliers Swindon Supermarine, Evesham moved up to second in the table.

They closed to within 15 points of runaway leaders Hereford FC who suffered their first league defeat of the season.

In front 2,917 fans at Edgar Street, Matthew Wright and Pierce Mitchell fired seventh-placed Taunton Town ahead inside 22 minutes.

John Mills put the Bulls back in the match with a goal on 53 minutes but the Somerset side held on for an eye-catching 2-1 win.

Evesham: Sawyer, Dovey, Stanley, Sheehan, Harding, Williams (Bryan 67), Preen (Fahy 62), Haskayne, Smith, Mann, Binns (Kennedy 78). Subs not used: Odiero, Magee.

Attendance: 198.

Meanwhile, Redditch United crashed 8-1 at Frome Town in the Premier Division with Danico Johnson's 58th-minute goal merely a consolation.

Jake Jackson scored a hat-trick for the hosts with Oliver Knight, Michael Bryant (2), Samuel Teale and Jonathan Davies (penalty) also on target.

Evesham defender Will Wellon, 27, has joined league rivals North Leigh to follow Matt Sysum who made the same move in November.

Wellon, 27, has been playing regularly for Tuffley Rovers in the Hellenic League Premier Division after losing his place in the Robins team.