Redditch United 2, Chesham United 2

FOR much of their matches this season, Redditch United have improved the longer the game has gone on. Saturday was the exact opposite.

After cruising into a 2-0 lead after 22 minutes with goals from Dan Scarr and Liam Spink, the Reds had seemingly wrapped up a fifth successive league and cup win.

It could easily have been 3-0 at half-time as the Reds continued to threaten, Jermaine Hylton pulled the visitors back-line this way and that, the midfield had Chesham chasing shadows and the defence was rarely troubled, But the second half was a complete contrast. The Reds lost their way like a rookie mountain trekker without a compass and Chesham roared back to level and could easily have snatched the points.

It had looked all so comfortable for Liam McDonald's men. Ashley Sammons twice fired off target and Hylton dragged a shot wide as the Reds played with the confidence you'd expect from a team which had seen their opponents' net bulge with 25 goals in four matches.

Defender Scarr converted a Sammons' free-kick to put them ahead on 17 minutes and Spink slotted home a neat finish to a pull-back from debutant Dior Angus five minutes later.

Only two diving saves by Chesham keeper James Beasant prevented Hylton and Spink adding to the tally but the momentum soon turned Chesham's way.

There had been warnings towards half-time when Ashley Smith's cross hit the bar and Inih Effiong somehow blazed over from three yards but Chesham's crucial first goal on 61 minutes was a head-scratching affair which came courtesy of Reds midfielder Simeon Maye's shin after Toby Little drilled in a low cross.

Six minutes later, it was all square when Mark Bell rifled home an angled finish from Little's cross and Chesham finished the stronger as keeper Sam Hornby tipped over Smith's rocket shot and Scarr cleared Effiong's prod goalwards after pouncing on Jim Mutton's hesitation.

REDDITCH: Hornby 7; Jones 6, Mutton6 (Cullinane-Liburd 90), Scarr 7, Caines 6; Angus 6 (Spencer 68, 6), Spink 7, Maye 6, CARLINE 8; Sammons 6 (Katsoloudu 85), Hylton 7. Subs (not used): Loveridge, Catlow.