Paulton Rovers 1, Redditch United 0

REDDITCH United fell to a late defeat at Paulton Rovers as they extended their winless league run to six games.

A Dean Evans header seven minutes from time was enough to overcome a visibly weakened Redditch side.

With guile and creativity in midfield still lacking through the Ashley Sammons and Max Loveridge suspensions, the Reds struggled with their fluidity in what was a notably stop-start game, 11 yellow cards not helping the situation.

Liam McDonald’s visitors started brightly enough, George Carline again proving himself a handful by bursting through from half-way line, brushing aside two defenders only for his effort to be blocked with Liam Spink putting the rebound wide.

On ten minutes Rikardo Reid, back from his loan spell with Romulus, was unable to find the target with a close-range header.

It was far from one-way traffic, as the hosts dug in and showed the spirit that has backed their encouraging start to life in this division. Brandon Barnes fizzed an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area on 23 minutes Evans was just off target on the half hour with a free-kick from similar range.

The second half saw the Reds again create their best chances early on.

On 52 minutes Reid was denied by the keeper when one-on-one and then, three minutes later, the visitors created their best move of the game when some fine midfield link-up play led to a Carline strike that was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Kyle Phillips in the Paulton goal.

At the other end, Scott Wilson shot straight at Brad Catlow on the hour and five minutes later the Redditch stopper was at his best to deny a fierce Jon Davies strike.

With the game running out of time a somewhat needless free-kick was given away by Calum Flanagan five yards from the corner flag. The resulting set piece was met by a totally unmarked Evans who could hardly miss with his header.

Redditch banged the door in search of their second late equaliser in a week but both Carline and Dan Scarr were denied from corners.

Reds: Catlow 8, Jones 7, Flanagan 6, Melvin 7, Scarr 7, Mutton 7, CARLINE 8, Spink 7, Spencer 7 (Bridgewater 80), Reid 6 (Fullerton 69, 5), Cullinane-Liburd 6. Subs (not used): Hornby, Caines, Young