REDDITCH United boss Darren Byfield has says Saturday's draw at Chesham United highlighted the battling qualities of his players.

Mat Mitchell-King’s own goal had put Reds on course to put more pressure on the Southern League’s top five but Sam Youngs intervened to level matters with 15 minutes to play at Amy Lane.

Byfield thinks it was a pleasing away point especially due to the absence of regulars Liam Spink, Eli Bako, Reece Hales and top scorer Danico Johnson He said: "I thought it was a really pleasing point for the boys.

"We have shown character and signs we rally are becoming a team now.

"It is a game we could have lost a couple of weeks ago but we stood up to the challenge and really looked like men and showed our determination to make it three unbeaten."

Neither side had much to shout about in the first half with Drew Roberts twice firing off target for the hosts and David McDermott seeing his deflected free-kick gathered with ease by Ashlee Jones.

New striker Luke Keen, signed in midweek from Sutton Coldfield Town, came on for Redditch at half-time and had a hand in the opener on 63 minutes.

Mitchell-King looked likely to lose his footrace with Keen and as Jones rushed out to his aid, the Chesham defender prodded past his stranded keeper and into his own net.

The hosts gradually upped the ante and when Redditch failed to properly clear a free-kick, Youngs let fly from distance and beat Brad Catlow with a rising effort across goal.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Chesham went in search of more but the closest they came was when Nat Kelly presented Roberts with a chance only for Catlow to save with his feet.

Reds might have pinched the points when Keen played in Simeon Cobourne late on but defender Bruce Wilson mopped up the danger with both teams worthy of a point on the balance of play.

Byfield was also delighted with Keen's debut showing, adding: "He had a great first game for us and come in and did exactly what I was expecting. He is an old-fashioned number nine and is a different option to what we already have at the club, which is why we brought him in."

The boss now wants to extend his side's unbeaten run with three successive home games at the Valley Stadium.

They are due to face Stratford tomorrow night before welcoming Cirencester Town this Saturday (3pm kick-off). A clash with Cinderford Town will follow next Tuesday night (7.45pm).

"The draw means we remain unbeaten in three for the first time this season," added Byfield. "Three home games to come also gives us a good opportunity to really put a good run together now."

Redditch could have Spink and Reece Hales back this week but will have to assess injuries to Johnson and Bako.