At one stage it did not look like Evesham would even make it to Barnstaple, but Mark Magee’s strike sealed their seventh league win in succession.
James Mayne put Barnstaple ahead in the 12th minute, but Lance Smith equalised four minutes later.
And Magee netted his second goal for Evesham in the 68th minute to maintain their promotion push.
They lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, with loan signing from Forest Green Louis McGrory ruled out with illness on the morning of the match.
Elliot Kennedy, Jordan Bryan, Carl Brown, Sam Pearson and Ashley Williams were all out, while Will Wellon is with Tuffley Rovers regaining match fitness after injury.
“We won ugly and it is a very pleasing result,” boss Paul Collicutt said.
“The pitch was bobbly and Barnstaple were physical and direct, so we had to show a different side to our game.
“I learned a lot about the lads and it was a very good three points, especially as one the way down the coach was playing up and we didn’t know if we’d make it!”
Evesham United: K Sawyer; L Dovey, L Harding, N Stanley; P Fahy, J Turley, L Sheehan, L Binns; M Magee, L Smith, A Mann. Subs: L Odiero, S Gilder, J Sloggett.
Attendance: 187.
Full report to follow
