KYLE Belmonte's first-half equaliser ensured Evesham United took a point from their Southern League Division One contest with fellow play-off chasers Bashley. 

In a game that neither side could afford to lose, it was sixth-placed Bashley that took the lead inside the opening ten minutes at the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium via Harry McGrath.

But Belmonte levelled the scores just after the half-hour mark when he broke clear on the half-way line before slotting the ball past the keeper. 

End-to-end football followed for the remainder of the game but neither team were able to register a strong chance before the final stages of the contest when Bashley came within inches of stealing a late winner. 

Having put his side 1-0 up, McGrath saw his 90th minute header come crashing back off the bar and away to safety, much to the relief of Evesham.

The point keeps Evesham in seventh, level on points with Bashley in sixth. The pair are three points off the play-off spots with six games left to play. 

Manager Mike Ford was not overly impressed with his side's performance and felt they were dragged down a level or two.

Evesham Journal: Evesham UNited manager Mike Ford gave his verdict after the 1-1 draw with Bashley.Evesham UNited manager Mike Ford gave his verdict after the 1-1 draw with Bashley. (Image: Stuart Purfield)

"It was a pretty poor game between two potential play-off teams. It was windy and bobbly so the conditions were not great," he said.

"I think a point is probably better for them than it is for us given we were at home but neither side controlled the game. We showed zero composure and didn't get our foot on the ball. 

"They (Bashley) played the conditions better than we did and we made a lot of mistakes. We got dragged into a low-level game and it became a game of tennis with it going back and forth. 

"But we are five games unbeaten now and a point is a point and we will have to just take it and try and improve on it on Wednesday.

Evesham are back in action in mid-week when they go to Willand Rovers in a "must-win" game according to Ford.

"It is a must-win game on Wednesday at Willand," he added.

"We have to be so much better than we were Saturday to go and get anything on Wednesday and we have to win the game.

"I have a good group of boys here but we need to reset after this game (vs Bashley) because we weren't great. We have to get back to doing what we do best."