EVESHAM United's play-off hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday as they were beaten in a five-goal thrilled by title-chasing Frome Town.

Roy Simpson's first-half double but the visitors into a 2-0 half-time lead, which Will Owens halved at the start of the second period.

Simpson completed his hat-trick mid-way through the second-half but Levi Steele responded quickly from the spot to give The Robins 20 minutes in which to find an equaliser.

But they were not able to and Frome held on for a 3-2 win to put themselves four points behind leaders Wimborne Town with a game in hand.

Evesham drop a point outside the play-off places as a result, but remain right in the mix with seven games to go in the 2023/24 season.

Elsewhere in the division, leaders Wimborne Town, were pushed all the way by Westbury United.

An early goal from Connor Cocklin gave them the perfect start before Matthew Neale made it two just before the break. The visitors refused to let their heads drop as Jasper Jones reduced the arrears on the hour-mark.

Jonathon Stuttle restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage but the visitors hit back again through Jones, but they eventually succumbed to a 3-2 reverse.

A new era began for Cribbs as they had to settle for a point from a 2-2 home draw with Tavistock. David Duru gave the hosts an early lead only for Liam Prynn to cancel it out just before the interval. Joe O’Loughlin turned the scoreline around with 15 minutes to go but there was still time for Ross McErlain to equalise with three minutes to go.

There was a 2-0 defeat for Bristol Manor Farm at Mousehole, for whom Tim Nixon opened the scoring early on and Hayden Turner notched the second midway through the second half. It was also 2-0 at Larkhall Athletic as they beat Malvern Town thanks to a brace from Eben Mortimer-Taylor.

Fellow play-off hopefuls, Bideford, were held to a goalless home draw by a resolute Paulton Rovers who are battling for their lives in the lower reaches of the table.

Three teams enjoyed good away wins. Exmouth Town continued their recent revival with a 3-0 triumph at Bemerton Heath Harlequins as Thomas Bath helped himself to a brace after Callum Shipton had opened the scoring with 20 minutes to go.

Bashley chalked up a 2-0 success at Willand Rovers as Luke Delaney and Frankie Monk got a goal in each half. Meanwhile Bishop’s Cleeve had a tenth minute effort from Jay Malshanskyj to thank for their victory at Yate Town.