Rev James scored on his second debut, but it proved in vain as United went down 2-1 to Alvechurch on Tuesday night.

Ash Carter put the hosts ahead seconds before half-term before Harry Williams added a second minutes after the restart.

James then made the final few minutes interesting with a fantastic solo effort, but Church held on to secure the points.

The visitors started well in the blistering Worcestershire chill and Kevin Da Silva Bastos may have benefited from some static defending but was dispossessed just as he was prepared to shoot.

Moments later, Gregg Smith nodded Dom Roma’s cross into the path of Da Silva Bastos, but he headed just wide on the dive.

Alvechurch grew into the tie with some slick footwork and had several chances to take the lead.

First, Jed Abbey fired well wide on the angle before a series of corners yielded a chance for defender Harry Williams, though his shot on the run whistled beyond the post.

Kieran Preston then did excellently to fingertip another stinging drive from range over his crossbar and Church may have rued their missed chances when Da Silva Bastos was tripped by home ‘keeper Daniel Jezeph in the area.

Bewilderingly, Da Silva Bastos was adjudged to have fouled and a sheepish Jezeph drew a sigh of relief.

And just before the break, the home side took the lead when a cross from Ashley Carter down the left travelled all the way through before nestling in Preston’s far corner, seconds before the half-time whistle blew.

Leading scorer for Church Danny Waldron – quiet to this point – had a fine chance minutes after the restart when he found space inside the area, but his shot dragged miles wide of its target with only Preston to beat.

But they didn’t have to wait long to double their lead when, on 58 minutes, Williams’ found himself unmarked on the edge of the area to plant a firm header inside the post.

Reacting well, substitute Tyreace Palmer stung the hands of Jezeph on the hour with a well-taken strike on the volley; the ‘keeper parrying round his post.

And their pressure told seven minutes from time when James’ poise and control allowed him some room and he fired beyond the onrushing Jezeph and into the top corner.

Four minutes off added time couldn't yield an equaliser, and Church held on to the points.

Next up, we welcome St. Ives Town to Greenwich Avenue on Saturday (3pm)

UNITED: Preston; Roma, Carr, Beatson, Tait; Thornhill, Starkie, Barnes, Clark (Palmer 58’); Smith (James 45’), Da Silva Bastos (Peters 65’)
SUBS (not used): Musson, Irvine

ATT: 194