A MISSED conversion cost Evesham the bonus point that could yet prove decisive in the Midlands Two West (South) relegation dogfight.
Saturday's 14-5 defeat at fourth-placed Earlsdon saw Evesham slide to third bottom in the standings with fellow strugglers Southam and Rugby St Andrews posting wins.
The visitors struggled to keep possession but were tenacious in defence, doing well to restrict their opponents to just two converted tries.
Will Bugg scored Evesham's only points with a try late on but the missed kick ensured a yield slipped through their grasp.
Ninth-placed Southam, who leapfrogged Evesham at the weekend, are the visitors to Albert Road on Saturday (2.15).