Evesham United 0 Morecambe 0

EVESHAM United came within inches of causing one of the biggest cup upsets in their history against Morecambe in the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy.

With the game deep into injury- time, Mark Wolsey outstripped full back David Perkins down the right and whipped over a cross to the unmarked Phil Preedy, but with only Morecambe 'keeper Steve McIlhargey to beat, Preedy sent his powerful header agonisingly wide of the left hand upright.

United were desperately unlucky not to gain the scalp of the Nationwide Conference side and Morecambe boss Jimmy Harvey and the 200 travelling supporters were more than relieved to have a second bite at the cherry.

On a heavily sanded pitch and in front of Evesham's biggest crowd in years, the hosts set about their task from the outset and never allowed their higher-graded opponents to settle.

The hard working Shaun Pratt, who was a constant threat for the overworked Morecambe defence all afternoon, went close early on firing across the face of an unguarded goal with McIlhargey beaten.

Wolsey sent in a spectacul

ar cross that sailed just over the bar and McIlhargey did well to hold Pratt's header from another Wolsey centre as United continued to look the better side. Pratt again came close to breaking the deadlock before the interval but he volleyed Wolsey's near post corner wide from six yards.

The Robins came out in the second half sensing a shock, and McIlhargey was happy to see Steve McCartan's long range effort scream just wide. Home 'keeper Damien Beattie was called into action to save from the experienced David Lee and in a 15-minute spell when the Shrimps enjoyed more of the play, Beattie saved bravely at the feet of John Norman and Mark Quayle. Urged on by their supporters, United finished the stronger and despite Preedy's last gasp miss the players were given a rousing reception at the end. Evesham United 0 Morecambe 0