EVESHAM twice came from behind at Paulton Rovers, only to lose in the final five minutes of their Southern League South clash on Saturday.

Paulton took the lead in the third minute of the game when Nuno Felix headed home from a corner. 

Mircea Ilea scored in his own net to bring Evesham level but William Hailston's goal in the second-half restored Paulton's lead. 

Christopher Knowles equalised for the second time just ten minutes later but Edward Butcher's cross flew over Ed Brearey with five minutes remaining to hand the hosts all three points, a result that lifted them above The Robins, who drop to sixth. 

It was the worst possible start for Evesham, who found themselves behind shortly after the kick-off as Felix headed home from the corner he created when Brearey tipped his initial shot around the post.

There were chances being created at both ends but it was Evesham who next found the net. Jordan Lymn's cross was put into a dangerous position and Kye Belmonte put enough pressure on Ilea, who could not prevent sticking it in his own net. 

The Robins were on the up in the contest as the game moved into the second-half, with Ethan Moran causing problems. 

But Paulton kept them at bay and restored their lead just after the hour mark when Hailston's volley flew past Brearey in the Evesham goal. 

It did not take long, however, for The Robins to equalise for a second time as Knowles scrambled the ball over the line.

A flurry of substitutions were made and a thoroughly entertaining match between two evenly matched teams was resolved with 12 minutes to go.

Butcher, cutting in from the left, suddenly chipped an inviting cross from 25 yards into the box but whether he meant it or not, the ball beat everyone and a stranded Brearey could do little to prevent it finding the top corner.