Redditch United 1 Cambridge City 2

REDDITCH United traipsed off the pitch clearly shellshocked and bewildered after letting slip their first win in nine matches against ten-man Cambridge.

The Reds had led through Charlie Morris’ perfectly-executed goal and when Cambridge had Salim Relizani sent off 20 minutes into the second period it seemed they were well set for a much-needed win.

It should have been secured seven minutes later when Shuja Mahmood raced down the left, Max Loveridge returned the cross but Dior Angus scooped over from eight yards.

But on such moments matches turn - especially when confidence is clearly so fragile after such a miserable run - and Cambridge duly punished the hosts with two goals in the final 12 minutes from Ben Robinson and sub Goldy Capela to snatch the points.

In the end, it was what they deserved. Redditch had just about edged the first half, with player-manager Darren Byfield providing the spark, but for all the hard work in going in front, they could not build any momentum in the second half and instead were pegged back.

Reds had the best chance in the opening 20 minutes when Byfield collected the rebound after Luke Keen’s shot was saved by Dean Snedker and his right-footer from 16 yards clipped the top of the bar.

And Byfield’s subtle pass led to the opening goal on 32 minutes, his flick sending Dior Angus into the penalty area on the right before the winger’s inviting pull-back was rammed home by on-loan Morris for his first goal for the Reds.

City showed plenty of purpose in the second period but found Reds’ keeper Bradley Catlow in man-of-the-match form. He blocked a Buster Harradine shot, denied Ryan Sharman’s header with a reflex stop and pushed Matthew Foy’s shot onto the post before the rebound deflected wide.

But Cambridge seemed to be facing a losing battle when Relizani flattened Donnell Benjamin, who limped off with a ankle injury, and was sent off by referee Les Sinclair. Instead, the decision seemed to stir even more endeavour from the visitors as Redditch looked increasingly uncertain.

With 12 minutes to play, City levelled when right-back Robinson was left with far too much time and space to send a 25-yard cross-shot from out on the right over Catlow into the top corner.

And as the game entered injury time Cambridge had the winner, Sharman’s pass sending sub Capela on goal and he slotted home as Catlow advanced.

REDDITCH: Catlow 8; Jones 6, Cullinane-Liburd 5, Courtney 5, Brown 5; Loveridge 5 (Hussain, 90), Byfield 6, Benjamin 5 (Mahmood 65); Angus 5, Keen 5, Morris 6. Subs: Bennett, Mitchell, Stephens.