Hayes & Yeading United 2, Redditch United 1

GOALKEEPER Brad Catlow came so close to earning a Redditch equaliser after an injury-time attacking foray to end another day of frustration.

Luke Keen had bagged the Reds’ first goal in five matches to cancel out Tom Broadbent’s first-half opener, only for Wes Parker to fire relegation-battling Hayes ahead for a second time.

But Darren Byfield’s men, facing a sixth league defeat in a row, pressed and pressed for a deserved reward. In the final minute, Catlow rushed into the Hayes area for a corner, having one effort blocked and then sending another shot off target.

Hayes sub Ryan Hope legged the length of the field with Catlow sprinting back to goal but the keeper managed to deny the hosts grabbing a third.

Catlow had been the busier keeper in the first half at the SkyEx Community Stadium, parrying a Lewis Putman effort before Broadbent headed off target. Then Connor Toomey should have done better, but his volley flew into the ground to give Catlow a comfortable save.

Hayes, though, had the lead on 31 minutes when skipper Broadbent prodded home after Catlow from Anthony Edgar’s inswinging corner.

Redditch had been second best in the first period,with new striker Luke Rodgers, signed from Solihull Moors, firing just over early on and then having a fierce shot parried by keeper Danny Boness from their best chances.

The Reds seized the initiative after the break and deservedly equalised on 57 minutes. Jordan Jones charged over the halfway line and sent Dior Angus down the flank to outpace and outmuscle his marker before providing the pull-back for Keen to slot home.

But eight minutes later, the Reds failed to clear their lines from another Edgar corner and Parker bundled home.

REDDITCH: CATLOW 8, Jones 7, Morris 6, Loveridge 6, Brown 5, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Angus 7 (Hussain, 71), Courtney 6, Keen 7, Rodgers 7, Bako 5 (Dhillon HT). Subs: Bennett, Mahmood, O’Reilly.

STAR MAN: Catlow.