Romulus 0, Evesham Utd 1

TOP scorer Mark Owen netted the only goal to keep United six points clear at the top of the British Gas Southern League Division One Midlands table.

Owen scored from the penalty spot after Mark Hands had been tripped by home goalkeeper Matt Harris inside 60 seconds.

The home goal survived a couple of first half scares and a late rally to collect three crucial points in their title quest.

Natham Vaughan rescued the Robins with a fine tip over to thwart Richard Allen after 19 minutes and, a minute later, the goalkeeper had no right to keep out Tyrone Fagan's point-blank strike but he did.

Gary Hay found the side-netting inside ten seconds of the restart while Danny Hodnett fired another effort wide.

Joe Clarke then missed a glorious chance to ease the nerves when he headed Michael Hayden's cross wide with only to Harris to beat, while Mark Hands completely missed his kick from another good position inside the home 18-yard area.

Steve Lutz then saw a goalbound header blocked before Romulus rallied and Vaughan was twice forced to clear outside his own penalty area.

Fagan directed a late header straight at the keeper who, inexplicably, dropped a cross in stoppage-time but Anthony Watson was on hand to clear the danger as the ball bounced goalwards.

Closest rivals Leamington defeated Bedworth courtesy of three second half goals and they remain six points adrift having played a match fewer than Paul West's table toppers.

Evesham's next two opponents lockerd horns and it was next Saturday's visitors Stourport Swifts who took the points after a 2-1 win over Bishops Cleeve who play host to United on Monday, kick-off 12 noon.