Dorchester Town 0 Redditch United 1

ASHLEY Sammons’ sublime strike moved Redditch United to within a point of the play off places with victory at Dorchester Town.

The Reds captain thumped home an unstoppable volley mid-way through the first half to stretch his side’s unbeaten run to seven games.

The victory ensures United remain in the thick of the play off shake- up in seventh with just a point separating them from fifth-placed Hungerford Town.

Having dropped points in their last two league outings, Liam McDonald’s side appeared in no mood to make the same mistake against Dorchester as they put their Dorset hosts under early pressure.

George Carline volleyed narrowly over the bar before turning provider for Leigh Phillips who dragged his effort wide of the target.

It was not all one way traffic however and keeper Sam Hornby had to be alert to keep out a powerful effort from the Magpies’ Dan Smith.

But a moment of brilliance broke the deadlock in the 29th minute as Sammons chested down a defensive clearance before unleashing a volley into the top corner from 25 yards.

The hosts wilted after the break as the Reds grew in confidence and only a desperate goalline clearance prevented Clayton McDonald’s header from doubling the visitors’ lead.

Substitute Luke Shearer then teed up Simeon Maye who wastefully blazed over from 11 yards. But with the hosts posing little threat the Reds comfortably held on to maintain their play off push.

Reds: Hornby 7; Jones 8; Flanagan 7; Dinsley 8; Scarr 7; McDonald 8; Phillips 7 (Hylton 78); Maye 7; Baker-Richardson 6 (Shearer 57, 6); SAMMONS 8; Carline 8. Subs (not used): Caines, Spink, Bridgwater