Redditch United 1, Slough Town 0

A deflected George Carline goal on the hour was enough to give Redditch the points at home to their mid-table visitors.

But they had to endure a late onslaught from Slough as they looked to salvage a draw from their trip to the Valley Stadium.

Redditch had the better of the opening half but squandered a number of chances to take the lead. The pick of these came inside six minutes when skipper Danny Dubidat skipped past two defenders only to sky his effort over the bar from the edge of the area.

Jamey Osborne was also off target before Jamie Molyneux’s low shot provided an easy save for Mark Scott in the Slough goal.

And the Reds ended the half in the same way as they started it, Troy Baker powering a shot just the wrong side of the post.

In contrast, the visitors offered little apart from a speculative overhead kick from Warren Harris which failed to trouble keeper Jose Veiga.

It was a similar tale at the start of the second period and after Osborne had seen his free-kick saved, Molyneux was denied when Scott smartly blocked his effort.

The breakthrough finally came on 61 minutes. A powerful 25-yard Baker drive was brilliantly turned around the post by the hard-working Slough keeper but he was helpless when, from the resulting corner, Carline’s near post flick cannoned off a couple of bodies in the six-yard box and nestled in the back of the goal.

Contented, Liam McDonald’s side appeared to sit back and nearly paid the price as the visitors finally started attacking with purpose.

Charlie Mpi volleyed an effort just wide and, with eight minutes to go, Dan Hicks got his head to a corner which Veiga had to claw away from under his crossbar.

But the Reds held on for a deserved win and maintained their top five place.

Reds: Veiga 7, Haynes 8, Flanagan 7, Loveridge 6, Mutton 8, Richards 7, Baker 7 (Shearer 72), OSBORNE 8, Dubidat 7, Molyneux 6 (Feron 90+1), Carline 7. SUbs (not used): Swan, Young, Moreton

Attendance: 219