Barton Rovers 1, Evesham United 1

A GOAL seven minutes from time denied Evesham two precious points in their title quest.

Substitute Ryan Robb had just slid wide of an open goal seconds after entering the field but he wasn't so wasteful with his second chance.

United failed to deal with a left wing cross, Nathan Vaughan pushed out Tony Thorpe's shot and Robb fired in from a tight angle.

It was maybe no more than Barton deserved as they came out of the blocks befitting a side unbeaten in six games.

They forced a succession of corners but the visitors held firm and went on to take control of the final 25 minutes of the first half.

Daniel Lennon was Evesham's main attacking threat and he forced a save out of Martyn Patching before giving the Robins the lead in stoppage-time when he headed in Simon Fitter's free-kick.

The scorer popped up on his own goalline after 64 minutes to head clear a header from Leon Hibbert but Evesham were made to pay for a lack of attacking threat in the second half when Robb netted the equaliser.

Leamington's 3-1 win at Cinderford means United's lead at the top has been trimmed to six points and The Brakes have played one match fewer.