Evesham United 0, Redditch United 0

REDDITCH United and Evesham will battle it out at The Valley Stadium on Monday for a spot in the next round of The FA Cup as their First Qualifying Round ended goalless.

The Reds, without a win in three games, were left frustrated by their stubborn opponents, on a tense and at times scrappy afternoon.

It was the first meeting of the two neighbours since last season’s Worcestershire Senior Cup final where Liam McDonald’s men ran out convincing 5-2 winners.

And a similar outcome looked like it could have been on the cards as Redditch went close inside the opening minute – the returning Jermaine Hylton curling an exquisite effort against the angle from 30 yards.

Max Loveridge tested Evesham keeper Kevin Sawyer from distance and Simeon Maye shanked his strike wide in a one-sided opening spell.

Evesham, who despite being without a home league win in the tier below Redditch, are enjoying a steady start to the season, and they almost snuck ahead on 15 minutes.

Brad Catlow misjudged a floated ball and skipper Matt Sysum was unfortunate to see his flick drop wide.

Ashley Sammons fired over before Hylton scuffed a Jamie Molyneux centre into Sawyer’s arms on the half-hour.

With £3,000 prize money at stake for the winners, the Reds raised their tempo in the second half with Hylton and Sammons going close within five minutes of the restart.

The first real save of note came from Sawyer on 52 minutes, his left hand keeping out George Carline’s flicked header before Hylton’s diving header was just off-target.

As the game become stretched Catlow made a fine stop in the Redditch goal to deny Lance Smith before George Washbourne spurned the rebound.

The in-form Carline again tested Sawyer mid-way through the half and just as the replay seemed inevitable, the encounter came to life.

Evesham substitute Carl Brown’s effort on 89 minutes beat Catlow only to be denied by Joel Caines’ midriff on the line, while seconds later at the other end, Sammons came closest as his shot flew inches wide.

Reds: Catlow 7, Recci 7, Caines 7, LOVERIDGE 8, Scarr 7, Flanagan 7, Sammons 7, Carline 8, Molyneux 7 (Spencer 66, 6), Hylton 7, Maye 7 (Oshungbure 72, 6). Subs (not used): Hornby, Jones, Reid, Bridgewater.