EVESHAM United's play-off challenge continued to falter after their fifth Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West game without a win.

An injury-time goal by sub Mason Lewis handed relegation-threatened Slimbridge a first victory in 15 matches, beating their lacklustre 10-man hosts 2-1.

With five of the top-seven sides still to visit Evesham the play-off push looks like going down to the wire.

The fifth-placed Robins look to revive their season at mid-table Bath side Larkhall Athletic on Saturday (3pm).

Against Slimbridge top scorer Lance Smith was the second player to be sent off in two games, leaving Evesham to play almost an hour with 10 men.

The visitors' player-manager Freddy Ward cleared off the line early on and then the ball hit the bar before being cleared.

Liam Harding sent a wind-assisted shot from halfway just over before Smith and Elliot Kennedy fired in shots.

At the other end Adam Mace's free-kick sailed just wide of the back post with keeper Kevin Sawyer struggling.

United led in the 29th minute via Kennedy's powerful finish after the defence failed to clear a trio of Lorcan Sheehan corners.

But comedy defending and a loss of footing by Sawyer gifted Slimbridge striker Jack Sklenar a quick equaliser.

Moments later Smith was sent off for allegedly kicking out in frustration after Slimbridge keeper Marcus Beauchamp gathered at the back post.

With a strong wind at their backs United threatened in the second half with Adam Mann and Mark Magee going close, while Beauchamp got behind Nick Stanley's driven free-kick.

With 15 minutes left Sklenar found space but Sawyer saved with an outstretched foot.

Evesham paid the price for missed chances when debutant Lewis raced clear and shot beyond the advancing Sawyer.

United: Sawyer, Harding, Stanley, Sheehan, Odiero, Williams, Kennedy (Magee 65), Brown, Smith, Mann, Preen (Gray 45). Subs not used: Gilder, Sloggett.

Attendance: 236.