Delwyn Humphries recorded his first win as caretaker manager as The Pitmen scored a goal in either half to record an important victory

Steve Jagielka despatched a penalty wide of Nathan Vaughan on eighteen minutes after the Evesham goalkeeper had brought down Ross Dyer when through on goal. The home fans were screaming for a red card but Mr Smallwood saw fit that a yellow card would suffice for the offence.

Vaughan made amends for his mistake with three quality saves from long range shots by ex-Walsall youngster Sam Adkins and goal scorer Jagielka and a smothered block on Dyer when the striker was released by Elliott Durrell.

The slippery Marcus Palmer turned Chayenne Dunkley on the touchline and tested Brock from the angle on forty-nine minutes but it was the clinical Tyrone Barnett who, after picking up a pinpoint pass from man of the match Durrell, turned Jamie Hyde and despatched his shot into the corner twelve minutes later. Hednesford’s second goal was one of real quality and showed that when the front strikers click there are no better in the Zamaretto League.

Palmer grabbed a consolation goal for Evesham on sixty-seven minutes when he turned Dunkley again and gave Stuart Brock no chance in The Pitmen goal.

Ross Dyer hit a fierce shot across the bow of Vaughan’s goal from the edge of the area but the striker saw his strike fly agonisingly wide of the far post.

A direct and committed Evesham pushed for an equaliser but the introduction of Aaron Gibson by Humphries reinforced the Hednesford backline and Durrell could have capped a solid performance with a goal of real class when he killed a cross field pass by Barnett but curled his shot over the bar as Hednesford countered.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time Durrell limped off for Hednesford and Evesham’s Simon Fitter was sent off for dissent  at the death.

The victory for The Pitmen sees the pendulum swing more towards playoffs than relegation and sets them up for a long run of re-arranged league and cup fixtures as the business end of the season approaches.

That run begins with a glamour home tie with League Two side Port Vale in the Staffs Senior Cup on Wednesday (Kick Off 7.30pm) and continues with a tricky away league game with Swindon Supermarine next Saturday.

Hednesford Town

Brock, Platt, Martin (Gibson 71), Bailey, Dunkley, Goodhead, Durrell (Brannan 90), Jagielka (21), Barnett (61), Dyer (Alexander 87), Adkins,

Subs Not Used

Chapman, Flynn

Evesham United

Vaughan, Watson, Hyde, Hodnett, Luckett, Lutz, Fitter, Thomas (Cooper 27), Palmer (67), Lennon, Hayden (Curtis 85),

Booked

Vaughan, Martin,

Sent Off

Fitter

Attendance – 331

Star Man – Elliott Durrell

Words by Chris Brewerton