SILENCE was golden for Evesham United manager Paul Collicutt after a 4-2 defeat at Thatcham Town which featured four penalties and two red cards.

Both teams were awarded and converted two spot-kicks apiece with Town reduced to 10 men early in the second half and then nine at the death when already two goals in front.

Shane Cooper-Clark opened the scoring from 12 yards after Kyle Tooze had been pushed three minutes in.

Tooze doubled the home side's advantage before Kane Simpson reduced the arrears from the spot following a handball.

Evesham then had a man extra when Stuart Cattell picked up a booking only for Cooper-Clark to make it 3-1 after referee Grzegor Kornasiewicz ruled that Tooze had been fouled.

Simpson struck again from the spot but substitute Scott Rees made the points safe on the break four minutes from time prior to Jack Alexander's dismissal, again for a second booking.

“They had some bad decisions go against them, we had some bad decisions go against us. That was the way it was," said Collicutt.

“We had given away a penalty after about a minute and that set the standard. These days players seem to fall over when the get into the 18-yard box at every level of football.

“If I said what I really felt I might get into a bit of trouble so it would probably be best for me not to comment any more than I have.

“It was a game that could have swung either way but it didn’t and we got punished for making individual errors. Unfortunately, they cost us.

“Giving away something like that very early on affected everything we had prepared. It was a right kick in the groin and knocks the stuffing out of you.

“It is something we have to improve on. We have 11 games left and must cut out the mistakes if we want to be involved come the end of the season, it is as simple as that.

“We talked about this on Saturday and have after previous games this season as well."

Next up is Saturday's home clash with Southern League Division One South play-off rivals Winchester City (3pm).

Will Tunnicliff (knee) and Toumani Sidibe are doubts but Nick Hancock (hamstring), who aggravated an existing injury when returning from the bench against Slimbridge a week and a half ago, could be fit enough for consideration.

“Winchester normally give us eventful and tricky games and they tend to be there or thereabouts,” added Collicutt.

“They have had some good results this season and a decent FA Cup run. It shows they have a talented group, some of whom could play at a higher level."

Evesham: Hannah, Dovey, Tunnicliff, Turley, Williams, Wellon, Thomas, C Brown, Kane Simpson, Kye Simpson, Davidge. Unused sub: Price, Davies, Harding, Anson, Fisher.

Attendance: 201.