MANAGER Carl Abbott revealed how Evesham United’s ability to get Cinderford “heads spinning” had fuelled his go-for-broke approach in Tuesday’s epic 4-3 defeat.

Trailing by three at the break, the Robins almost completed a mammoth fightback only for Lee Chilton to be denied by ex-Evesham keeper Andy Hannah’s double save from a penalty and the follow up in added time.

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“I’m immensely proud of my players,” said Abbott.

“At 4-1 down at half-time you have a choice, shut up shop or act on the feeling that there is something to go for.

“We conceded four horrible goals but played some scintillating football, some of the best I have seen this season. We had their heads spinning at times and they would be lying if they said otherwise.

“Cinderford have a good side, they are quite heavy going forward and put more balls into our box than anyone else has so far this season.

“They offered Lochie (Robertson, keeper) some different problems and we didn’t defend some things as well as we might have.

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“Two of the goals were from corners and we haven’t conceded from them all season, then there were a couple of little errors around the box.

“I think we got punished, we didn’t get away with anything in the first half and that left us a mountain to climb but we still felt there was enough in that first half to get something out of the game with a bit of spirit and cohesion.

“The score looked horrible but I thought we were brilliant going forward, we carved them open and looked dangerous on both wings.

"The score beggared belief at half-time but the goals were of our own making so we could only blame ourselves and pull it together again.

“The lads were motivated and driven, we threw bodies forward. The least the supporters expect is maximum effort and we gave them that in spades.

“It nearly paid off but there are ways to lose and I can sleep easy after that.”