United denied

FOR the second time in less than a week, former Studley keeper Danny Lewis denied Reds three valuable points.

His Boxing Day antics pre-empted the Moors grabbing a late winner and another string of fine saves meant United had to make do with a share of the spoils despite having the lion's share of the chances on Monday.

Lewis twice denied Jermaine Clarke before thwarting a late Dave Walker effort as Reds piled on the pressure in the closing stages looking for a win that would have eased their relegation worries. Gary Whild's visitors started brightly with Francino Francis glancing a header over the bar from a 12th minute Simon Hollis corner.

But it was the Moors who took the lead on 19 minutes. Good work on the left by Dale Anderson saw him dart past his marker before floating in a cross that skimmed the head of Darren Middleton before Jason Moore fired home unchallenged at the far post.

Lewis pushed a Richard Softley effort behind for a corner as Redditch looked to level. And they did just that on 25 minutes when another swerving Hollis flag-kick caused chaos in the home defence and Softley powered the ball home from six yards.

Torrential rain made life tough for both sides for the remainder of the half and there was no let-up after the break.

But it was the Reds who seemed to adapt to the conditions better in the final stages and had enough chances to claim all three points.

With Softley dominating the midfield against a tiring home side - the Moors were one of the few teams in action on Saturday - it only seemed a matter of time before the visitors hit a second.

With an hour gone, Softley's determination forced Moors defender Richard Follett into a wayward clearance and when Clarke pounced on the loose ball, Lewis needed to produce a brilliant save to deny him.

There was a rare chance for the home side on 75 minutes when Damian Whitcombe was forced into a goalline clearance from Moore, but the action was back at the other end two minutes later when Lewis kept out another Clarke effort. And with eight minutes to go, the Moors stopper produced another vital save.

New Year's Day, Moor Green: LEWIS, Follett, Midworth, Ayres, Penny, Fleming, Morrison (Faulds 70), Middleton, Moore , Anderson, Trainer. Subs (not used): English, Bridgwater, Scott, Collins.

Reds: Anstiss 6, Petty 6, Whitcombe 6, Rea 7, Geoghaghan 7, SOFTLEY 9, Downes 6, Francis 5 (Clarke 52, 7), Rickards 7 (D Walker 76 A Walker 85), Hollis 8, Palmer 7. Subs (not used): Alsop, Cotterill.

Boxing Day, Reds: Anstiss 6, A Walker 6 (Petty 71), Whitcombe 6, REA 8, Geoghaghan 7, Softley 7, Downes 7, Francis 6, Rickards 6 (D Walker 80), Hollis 7, Taylor 6. Subs (not used): Alsop, Cotterill.

Moor Green: LEWIS, Follett, Midworth, Ayres, Penny, Fleming, Morrison, Middleton, Moore (Faulds 71), Anderson, Trainer. Subs (not used): English, Bridgwater, Scott, Collins.