Leamington 0, Redditch United 1

Ten-man Redditch needed an excellent defensive display to maintain their impressive run at fellow high-fliers Leamington.

Luke Shearer netted the game’s only goal early in the game but a red card for Kyle Haynes ensured a shaky final few minutes in this top of the table clash.

There were early appeals for a Reds penalty when, on 13 minutes, Danny Dubidat appeared to be held but the referee waved play on and Haynes thumped the loose ball wide of the target.

The visitors continued to create the better of the chances and were rewarded on 17 minutes when George Carline’s pass split the Leamington defence and Shearer ran through before guiding his shot beyond keeper Tony Breeden.

United keeper Jose Veiga was called into action midway through the half to push a Lee Chilton shot around the post but it was the visitors who finished the half the stronger and when Shearer’s cross picked out George Carline in front of goal, his close-range header was brilliantly saved by Breeden.

The second half was just seven minutes old when Haynes saw red. Lee Chilton’s foul on keeper Veiga earned a booking from the referee but the former Worcester City defender took matters into his own hands and paid the price.

And although Troy Baker had a couple of half-chances for the Reds after replacing Jamie Molyneux on the hour, Leamington slowly took control.

Jack Edwards saw his shot blocked on 79 minutes before substitute Will Green’s deflected effort struck the post before rolling into the arms of the Redditch keeper.

Three minutes from time, the home side were denied what seemed a certain equaliser when Edwards headed down for Ben Mackey but his shot was brilliantly saved by Veiga.

Mackey then put another chance wide deep in injury time as the Reds held on for the three points that lifted then level on points with Leamington in second – and just one point adrift of leaders Poole Town who lost 3-1 at Chesham United.

Reds: Veiga 7, Haynes 4, Liburd 7, Loveridge 7, Mutton 7, Flanagan 8, Shearer 7 (McGee 84), RICHARDS 8, Dubidat 6 (Young 90), Carline 8, Molyneux 6 (Baker 58, 7). Subs (not used): Bridgwater, Moreton