DIDCOT Town produced a brilliant second-half performance as they beat Evesham United 3-0 to rise up to fourth in the West Division table.

Strikes from Felipe Barcelos, George Jeacock and a spectacular effort from Ollie Thomas enabled the Railwaymen to see off their play-off rivals.

The game started inauspiciously for manager Andy Ballard, who decided to play himself in the absence of suspended central backs Stuart Cattell and Adam Learoyd, and was booked for a late challenge after only 37 seconds.

Didcot welcomed back Callum McNish for the first time in four months, while the bench also contained Morgan Williams, who re-signed for the club last week.

They spent much of the first half on the back foot, with Carl Brown and then Andy Lewis testing Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell, who was more than equal to both efforts.

Barcelos forced a good save from Kevin Sawyer, but the hosts were unable to get into their usual rhythm. Jordan Bryan and Matt Liddiard both went close in the first half for Evesham but neither could open the scoring as the half came to a close goalless.

Didcot came shooting out of the traps in the second half and took just 30 seconds to go ahead.

A brilliant ball from Lewis Hayden played in Barcelos, who fired his shot under the diving Sawyer

Five minutes later, they doubled their advantage as Marlon Agyakwa’s corner was met by Jeacock, whose looping header found the net.

The visitors looked to press forward and Joe Turley’s shot was saved by Bedwell and then brilliantly cleared off the line by Cameron McNeill.

Didcot sealed victory in the last minute when Thomas scored the goal of the game as he curled in his effort from 25 yards.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Elkins, Woodley, Hayden, Ballard, McNeill, Jeacock, Thomas, Barcelos (Pin 80), Murphy (McNish 65), Agyakwa (Williams 75).

Attendance: 192.

Kidlington’s efforts to make their pitch playable for the match with Larkhall Athletic were not rewarded as they fell to a 2-1 defeat.

The visitors were quicker to adapt to the sandy surface at Yarnton Road as an early shot from Greg Peel fizzed wide of Sam Warrell’s goal, while the home keeper then made a great save from Joe Tumelty.

Kidlington’s new signing Conor McDonogh came on in the 62nd minute, but it was the vistors who took the lead seven minutes later when Matt Britton side-footed home from eight yards.

The Greens equalised in the 78th minute, when Mark Janes headed home Elliott Osborne-Ricketts’s cross from the right.

In a hectic finish, the Larks scored the winner in the 83rd minute, when Tumelty hit home a blistering 25-yard shot into the top-left corner of the goal.

Kidlington: Warrell, E Odhiambo, Castle, Brown, Whitehead, Gabbidon, Martin (McDonogh 62), Osborne-Ricketts, Janes, Williams (Benjamin 74), Browne (A Odhiambo HT). Subs not used: Franklin, Bell.

Attendance: 59.

Ten-man North Leigh’s free-fall continued when they were victims of a one-man show in a 5-0 defeat at Wimborne Town.

Toby Holmes scored four of the goals, starting with the 34th minute penalty that put the hosts into the lead.

They doubled the lead when the prolific striker scored a brilliant individual effort on the stroke of half-time.

Holmes completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute and scored his fourth seven minutes later.

The Millers were reduced to ten men when defender Dan James was sent off after being shown two yellow cards within a minute

Lee Francis created a fifth for Jack Lovell in injury time.

North Leigh: Grimshaw, Lymn, New (Harvey 19), D James, Keightley, Paddock, R James, Simpson, Seacole, Cook (Carroll 81), Grabe. Subs not used: McGlynn, Brough.

Attendance: 263.

It was a tale of two penalties as Thame United lost 1-0 at Bedford Town in the East Division.

The hosts, who dominated the first half without scoring, took the lead in the 63rd with a twice-taken penalty from Paul Benson, who scored each time.

Thame had a chance to equalise eight minutes from time, but Dan West saw his spot-kick saved by home keeper Kyle Forster.