Redditch United 0, Chippenham Town 2

Goalless for nearly seven hours and without a win since Christmas, these are troubling times for Reds boss Darren Byfield.

So it was no surprise to see him name himself in the starting line-up against league leaders Chippenham – there can be no better place to influence proceedings than actually being out on the pitch.

And while the table-topping visitors headed back to the Cotswolds with the three points, there were times when the enthusiasm and experience of the 40-year-old former Villa and Walsall striker appeared to be rubbing off on those around him.

Chippenham started the stronger and were ahead on nine minutes when United’s on loan keeper Luke O’Reilly bravely saved at the feet of striker David Pratt only for the ball to run loose for Joe McClennan who powered a shot into the net from 15 yards.

O’Reilly was called on again soon after to keep out a well-struck Alex Ferguson volley and from then on, the Reds slowly edged their way back into the game.

Luke Keen aimed a header straight at the Chippenham keeper before the home side created their best chance of the game on 24 minutes. A storming run by Max Loveridge was ended when he was fouled on the edge of the area by visiting skipper Greg Tindle. The stumbling Reds midfielder managed to get his shot away which was parried by keeper Darren Chitty and the lurking Byfield skewed the rebound wide.

Undeterred, Byfield whipped another effort across the face of goal on the half hour and for a while the visitors were hanging on.

But hang on they did and they duly doubled their lead on 37 minutes when, from a corner, the ball was worked to former Reds defender Will Richards who stabbed the ball home.

After the break, Byfield had an effort blocked by Richards and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd headed an effort over the bar.

But it was Chippenham who went closest to adding to the scoreline in the final 15 minutes when the impressive Richards had a header cleared off the line by Loveridge before Andy Sandell crashed a volley against the crossbar.

Having locked horns with the top two in their last two outings, Byfield’s side now take on three of the bottom four in quick succession when the manager will be hoping his enthusiasm and experience will help them end their winless run.

Reds: O’Reilly 6, Jones 6, Dhillon 5, LOVERIDGE 7, Brown 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Byfield 6, Courtney 6, Keen 6, Bako 5 (Benjamin 46 (Bennett 75)), Singh 5 (Morris 62, 5). Subs (not used): Angus, Mitchell