St Neots Town 1, Redditch United 0

REDDITCH’S recent revival came to an end thanks to a delightful late strike from Birmingham City trialist Jevani Brown.

Darren Byfield’s Reds had turned the tide having been under pressure early on but were caught out by Brown’s swirling 20-yard finish.

The defeat was harsh on a United side that had created chances and hit the underside of the crossbar through half-time substitute Dior Angus just before the hour mark.

St Neots had the edge throughout the first half and could have nudged in front through efforts from James Tricks, Tom Knowles and Brown within the opening 20 minutes.

Mike Hyem threaded through Brown for the chance of the half on 26 minutes but Catlow was alert to save well before Reds upped the ante.

Jhai Dhillon shot into the side netting and Luke Keen had a shot blocked by Johnny Herd and Redditch came out with plenty of impetus in the second half.

Dhillon was denied once more and Angus could not have gone any closer to the opener with his blast from the edge of the box on 58 minutes.

Reds continued to press but St Neots carried a threat on the break and Catlow did well to save a Declan Rogers free-kick.

The visiting custodian could do nothing when Brown’s perfectly-placed effort flew beyond his grasp and while Reds pushed forward with purpose late on, even sending Catlow up for a late corner, there was no way through.

Reds: Catlow 7, Cullinane-Liburd 7, Dhillon 7, Mendes 6, Brown 7, Courtney 7, Pereira da Veiga 5 (Angus, h-t, 7), BENJAMIN 8*, Keen 7, Bailey-Nicholls 5 (Mitchell, 6, 70), Morris 5 (Loveridge, 75, 6). Unused subs: Campbell, Hussain.