DARREN Byfield believes new signings will be the key to Redditch United’s success next season.

The Reds drew 1-1 at Slough Town in their final game of the season, but were seconds away from taking all three points from their high-flying opponents.

After a first half that lacked any chances of note, the breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when defender Jack Coates was picked out by Arjun Jung’s chip into the area and the on loan Aston Villa youngster headed home.

Brad Catlow saved a Chris Flood penalty to keep Reds ahead, but then in the third minute of injury time, Lewis Putnam was brought down by Coates inside the area and Liam Enver-Marum stepped up to take the spot kick which sent Catlow the wrong way.

Byfield said he felt the draw was a fair result, but was disappointed that his side weren’t able to hold on for the win.

The manager said: “They were on top for the first 10 or 15 minutes, but we really grew into the game and did as well as we have done for the past few games.

“Obviously I want to win every game, and I was gutted when we conceded, but I was very pleased to see another good performance.”

With their season now over, Byfield hopes to bring in news faces before pre-season begins to make sure he is not changing his side regularly – which has been a feature of his United team this season.

“I am going to get in a few new faces for next season,” Byfield said. “But I still want to keep a lot of these lads, as we have been changing a lot of players this season and we need some consistency. We can’t keep chopping and changing throughout the season like we have been.

“This season was always going to be a learning curve and I needed the club to allow me a season to get used to managing at this level.

“If I don’t learn from my mistakes then I won’t be the manager I know I can be. I progressed every year as a player and I want to progress each season as a manager too.

“I want to bring success to those Redditch United fans who have supported the team so well this season and the way I can do that is by bringing in the players who will improve the squad and make us a competitive side next season.

“Where we finish next season will all depend on which players I am able to bring in. If we get the players I want, then I know we will be up there fighting at the top of the table.”