Hitchin Town 1 - 0 Redditch United 

A STUNNING 25-yard strike from Jonny McNamara early in the second half ensured Redditch left Hitchin empty-handed.

The Reds had a number of chances to level in the second half but they failed to find a way through a solid home defence with keeper Michael Johnson also pulling off a couple of decent saves.

There were few chances in the first half when blustery conditions made life tough for both sides.

Hitchin had the pick of the chances before the break with McNamara putting an effort wide on seven minutes and skipper Dan Webb crashed a header over the bar just after the half-hour.

Hitchin’s goal came three minutes into the second half. The livewire McNamara spotted keeper Ethan Ross off his line and he left fly with a 25-yard effort that sailed into the back of the net.

Reds then proceeded to play some decent football and on 55 minutes Spencer Weir-Daley headed just wide of the target.

Leading scorer Dior Angus then put an overhead kick into the arms of grateful keeper Johnson before defender Gowan Stares planted a header over the target from a corner.

With three minutes remaining, the excellent Kevin Monteiro went on a snaking run into the box only for Johsnon to usher his shot around the post.

Hitchin chances after the break were few and far between but they should have added a second a minute from time when substitute Elliot Bailey broke free only to steer his shot wide of the post.

Reds: Ross 6, Wright 6, Fox 6, Mailancol 6, Stares 6 (Hussain 77), Pendley 7, Apostolopoulos 7, MONTEIRO 8, Angus 6, Thanoj 8, Weir-Daley 6. Subs (not used): Amenku, Belmonte, Billingham, Simpson.