Redditch 0, Corby 1

Redditch United’s play-off charge was dealt a blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Corby Town, who themselves leapt to the top of the Southern Premier, writes Lewis Cox.

The Reds were on a seven game unbeaten run as their charge back to the top five was rising through the gears, but the visit of high-fliers Corby was always likely to pose as one of the season’s toughest remaining tests.

The Steelmen’s top goalscorer, Spencer Weir-Daley scored the winner on the hour, 10 minutes after the visitors had seen their goalkeeper dismissed.

Corby began on the front-foot, Elliot Chamberlain fired an effort across Sam Hornby’s goal after three minutes.

Giant defender Clayton McDonald flicked an Ashley Sammons free-kick wide, before Simeon Maye squared for George Carline, who was denied by a fantastic last-ditch challenge as Liam McDonald’s men responded.

20-goal Weir-Delay almost profited on a Dan Scarr error, but was thwarted by Hornby’s awareness.

Redditch’s best moment of the opening half saw Sammons, Liam Spink and Luke Shearer combine well, before Carline was unable to apply the finishing touch.

The second-period began much livelier and within four minutes the Northamptonshire visitors were struggling, Calum Flanagan’s floated ball released Shearer, who was abruptly taken out by Steelmen stopper Paul Walker.

But the resulting free-kick was blocked and if anything, the decision spurred the new table-toppers on.

Just after the hour the impressive Greg Mills set in Weir-Daley who swerved before firing a low left-footed strike across Hornby into the corner.

Returning substitute Max Loveridge fired over from distance for the Reds, before Simeon Maye was similarly off-target as they were unable to break a resilient Corby down.

Redditch: Hornby 7, Jones 7, Flanagan 6, Dinsley 6 (Phillips 65, 6), McDonald 7, Scarr 6 (Angus 80, 6), Maye 6, Spink 6 (Loveridge 57, 6), Shearer 7, SAMMONS © 7, Carline 6.

Not used: Baker-Richardson, Cullinane-Liburd.