JUST a week after their fabulous FA Trophy victory over Conference leaders Dagenham & Redbridge, Reds returned to the pressures of the league on Saturday.

And those pressures are certainly mounting on boss Gary Whild after 10 games without a win.

A Duane Darby effort 17 minutes from time ensured another blank for United but hosts Nuneaton were grateful to keeper Darren Acton and second-class finishing as they gave new boss Kevin Wilkin a winning start.

With just eight minutes gone, Jermaine Clarke beat the offside trap to latch onto a pass from Carl Palmer but the striker shot wide under pressure from Acton and Ben Chapman.

Nuneaton's only effort came on 20 minutes. A fierce 22-yard drive from Ollie Burgess was palmed out by Reds keeper Richard Anstiss and Jay Denny managed to put his close-range header over the bar when it was easier to score.

Five minutes later Clarke gathered another long ball out of defence only for Acton to save.

And the powerful Reds striker was again foiled on 37 minutes.

But the second half saw Redditch pinned back for long periods. Darby almost handed Nuneaton the lead six minutes in with an 18-yard lob over Anstiss only for the ball to bounce off the bar.

But the experienced striker did find the net on 73 minutes. David Staff and substitute Gez Murphy combined down the left with the latter squaring the ball to Darby who was able to side-foot home.

Staff then drilled an effort at the United keeper three minutes later before Murphy fired just wide after a neat turn.

United's best chance of salvaging something from the game came deep in injury time when substitute Richard Adams ran on to a through-ball only to be checked by Acton on the edge of the area. A free-kick seemed inevitable but referee Grundy waved play on and United's hopes ended.

Nuneaton: ACTON, Oddy, Chapman, Curtis, Moore, Burgess, Staff, Noon, Darby (Quailey 85), O Burgess (Brown 87), Denny (Murphy 62). Subs (not used): Fitzpatrick, Franlin.

Reds: Anstiss 6, Petty 6, WHITCOMBE 8, Rae 7, Geoghaghan 6, Softley 6 (Alsop 17, 7), Taylor 6 (Adams 75), Clarke 6 (Francis 80), Rickards 7, Hollis 6, Palmer 6. Subs (not used): Walker, Murphy.