Redditch United 0, St Albans City 2

FORMER Fulham striker Barry Hayles sunk Reds with a second half brace of goals as St Albans snatched the points from this often scrappy encounter.

Reds pressed their own self destruct button when they had defender Asa Charlton sent-off after 54 minutes following a two-footed lunge on St Albans full back Danny Gordon.

Prior to Charlton's departure, there had been little to choose between the sides with chances proving at a premium.

Charlton's exit handed St Albans the initiative who took the lead on 67 minutes in controversial fashion.

Reds failed to clear from Chris Henry's corner and the ball was booted back into the goalmouth where Hayles bundled home from close range despite looking suspiciously offside.

The resulting Reds' protests proved in vain and worse followed as St Albans were gifted a second goal two minutes from time.

Mark Hands hurried back-pass forced a poor clearence kick from goalkeeper James Wren which allowed Hayles, who once commanded a £2million transfer fee, to collect unopposed and slot home past a defenceless Reds keeper with consumate ease.

Credit to 10 men Reds who should have got themselves back on level terms when Stuart Hendrie delivered a left wing cross which picked out substitute Simon Johnson, who somehow failed to connect in front of goal.

Ryan Watts had hit the crossbar for St Albans after nine minutes but the effort was ruled out by referee Adam Matthews who signalled a foul instead.

Striker Joel Grandison produced Reds best chance of the opening half when shrugging off the attentions of two St Albans defenders before stretching to force a shot which visiting goalkeeper Nick Jupp did well to get down and palm around the post just before the half hour mark.

Equally dispiriting for Reds was the sparce crowd who witnessed this contest, with just 119 spectators turning up the Valley Stadium.

Reds: Wren 6; Moran 6, Charlton 6, Flanagan 7, Hickman 8, Richards 6, Hendrie 6, Hands 6, Deards 6 (Johnson 75), Grandison 7, Quaynor 8.

Subs not used: Bridgwater, Oshungbure, Jenkins, Catlow.