Stratford Town 4, Redditch United 6

SUBSTITUTE Harvey Headley struck a late double to take Redditch into the second round of the Red Insure League Cup after a frenetic feast of football at the DCS Stadium.

Four times the Reds took the lead only to allow their hosts off the hook before Headley finally put the tie to bed.

Redditch could not have wished for a better start, star man Omari Sterling-James sweeping the ball from the edge of the area after just 16 seconds.

Chris Sterling levelled in the fifth minute only for Stratford’s former Red Gary Moran to head into his own net a minute later.

Another former Redditch favourite Joe Halsall levelled on 19 minutes before Jamie Molyneux – who had made the switch the other way – scoring United’s third on 37 minutes.

Town finished the half strongly though and after Jamie Sheldon had rattled the crossbar from 30 yards, Sam Atkins equalised for a third time moments before the break, turning home the loose ball after his penalty – awarded following Leavi Oshungbure’s foul on Tyrone Fagan, had been blocked by keeper Sam Hornby.

Stratford’s Rob Freeman was sent off for a second booking late in the half but the home side still matched their visitors at the start of the second period.

Mark Hands netted from close range for the Reds on 51 minutes with the inevitable equaliser coming from Fagan four minutes later.

But the pace of the match finally began to take its toll on Stratford as the visitors took control in the closing stages.

Edwin Ahenkorah grazed the outside of the post before Headley struck his first on 74 minutes, latching on to a perfect Molyneux pass.

The striker wrapped up the win nine minutes from time, sliding home a low Joe Ballinger cross following some intricate passing from the visitors. Reds: Hornby 6, Flanagan 6, Ballinger 6, Oshungbure 7, Jackson 6, Mutton 6, Hylton 6 (Ahenkorah 61, 6), Hands 7 (Price 78), Clarke 7 (Headley 43, 7), STERLING-JAMES 8, Molyneux 7. Subs (not used): Bridgewater, McDonald.