Royston Town 2 Redditch United 1

A LACK of cutting edge consigned Redditch United to a sixth league match without victory at Royston Town.

The Reds had been on the front foot for most of the first half and took a deserved lead through Spencer Weir-Daley three minutes prior to the interval.

Royston did not have to wait so long for their breakthrough, though, notching the leveller within seconds of the restart when Martel Powell rifled in from the corner of the six-yard box.

Scott Bridges then struck what proved to be the winner on the hour with late openings going begging for United during the latter stages.

Chances were few and far between until Weir-Daleym checked his run to beat the offside trap and latch on to Kevin Monteiro’s threaded pass to calmly slot past keeper Joe Welch.

A quick, lofted ball forward teed up Powell’s strike with no more than 10 seconds on the clock and when Redditch failed to clear from a spell of sustained pressure, Bridges beat Ross from six yards.

The lively Weir-Daley kept probing and was unfortunate with a low shot from the edge of the box with a little over 20 minutes to play.

Substitute Tristian Dunkley, recently with Solihull Moors in the National League, then took aim from 18 yards with his effort forcing a fine low save from Welch but there was no way through for the Reds.

Redditch will look to get their play-off bid back on track in a home clash with Frome Town at the Valley Stadium on Tuesday (7.45).

Reds: Ross 6, Rosser 6, Fox 6, JACKMAN 7*, Mailancol 6 (Dunkley, 6, 65), Pendley 6, Monteiro 7 (Simpson, 55, 6), Weir-Daley 6, Angus 6, Thanoj 6, Thomas 7 (Hussain, 68, 6). Unused subs: Apostolopoulos, Belmonte.