Redditch United 2, Hungerford Town 2

MIDFIELD maestro Jamey Osborne led by example to steer Redditch to a share of the spoils that hardly looked likely after Hungerford had cruised into a two-goal lead.

The home side dominated the first half chances and yet it was the visitors who made the most of theirs, punishing some sloppy defending.

After early Redditch pressure came to nothing, Kelvin Bossman fired Hungerford into a ninth minute lead with a stunning first-time volley from 20 yards after defender Will Richards had been hustled off the ball.

But the home side continued to create opportunities with Robbie Bunn being denied by keeper Dan Lincoln on 15 minutes and then lifting a shot high over the target two minutes later when he should have done better.

Kyle Haynes tried his luck with a full-bloodied shot but that flew straight at the Hungerford keeper.

And to rub salt in to United’s wounds, the visitors then went and doubled their lead with just their second shot of the game when Nat Jarvis was allowed to drill in a low cross and, with keeper Stuart Parsons and defender Jordan Cullinane-Liburd leaving the ball to each other, Bossman slid in to claim his second on 34 minutes.

Undeterred, Redditch kept pushing and were finally rewarded with two goals in five minutes just before half-time.

George Carline headed in the first from a 40th minute Osborne corner with Osborne levelling the scores on the stroke of half-time thanks to a glorious 20-yard strike following a neat one-two with Will Richards.

The second period lacked the excitement of the first and it was Hungerford who had the better chances with defender Jon Boardman heading over from close range while unmarked substitute Mark Draycott somehow stabbed a shot wide from six yards.

The Reds were given a boost 13 minutes from time when Boardman picked up a second yellow to leave the visitors to see out the final stages with just ten men.

But Liam McDonald’s side could not take advantage, an Osborne free-kick high over the bar the closest they managed to securing a first win of the season.

Reds: Parsons 6, Haynes 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Carline 6, Richards 6, Flanagan 7, Baker 7 (Dubidat 75), OSBORNE 8, Shearer 5, Bunn 6 (Spink 64, 6), Ashmore 7 (Archer 85). Subs (not used): Molyneux, Moreton