Didcot Town’s outside hopes of making the play-offs were ended when they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of in-form Evesham United on Saturday.

The visitors, unbeaten in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West since January, made a fast start and raced into a 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes – and they never looked back to consolidate third spot in the table.

The result leaves the Railwaymen eight points behind Larkhall Athletic – the team in the final play-off position – with just two games left.

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Adam Mann scored the visitors first when, from a good counter-attacking move, he volleyed past James Foster.

Just a minute later, Didcot full back Jamie Heapy tripped Lee Smith in the box and Matt Sysum converted the resulting penalty.

Didcot started to come into the game and following a spell of pressure were rewarded with a goal.

Jack Longford put a ball into the box which Evesham keeper Kevin Sawyer could only parry into the oncoming Pablo Haysham, who bundled home.

The hosts should have levelled just before half-time when Haysham crossed in for Longford who was free in the six-yard box.

However, he put his effort over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Both sides were looking to take control in the second half before Marcus Jackson benefitted from a Didcot defensive mix-up to tap home and restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage.

With Didcot venturing forward to get something out of the game, they were hit by two strikes from Lance Smith which killed the game.

His first was a superb volley home and the second – his side’s fifth – was a tap-in.

Didcot Tn: Foster, Heapy (Dutton-Black 78), Organ (Woodley 78), Self, Carnell, Learoyd, Baines (Deabill 69), Ballard, Mills, Haysham, Longford. Sub not used: Powell.

Attendance: 167.