Redditch United 2, Dorchester Town 0

IT wasn’t just the deserved three points which put the smile on the face of Redditch United manager Liam McDonald after Saturday’s win against Dorchester.

Victory, courtesy of goals from Luke Shearer and George Carline in the final 15 minutes, pushed the Reds into fourth place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier and proved, again, they can more than match the promotion contenders.

Pleasing as that was, McDonald was also exuberant about the manner of the victory, with how his side adapted and then seized the initiative.

Dorchester could have thrown the Reds by playing a three-man backline and flooding the midfield, but the hosts showed growing maturity to get to grips with lively opponents and gradually exert their own authority.

“It was a hard-fought win but that’s three wins in a row now,” said McDonald. “In terms of game management we are getting better and better.

“They threw us with the system they played, but the players themselves adapted and that shows they are learning. That’s a real positive.”

The woodwork twice denied the Reds with Luke Shearer slamming a shot against the bar and then Magpies keeper Alan Walker-Harris pushing a Jamey Osborne free-kick onto the post.

At the other end, Jose Veiga smothered a shot from Jonah Ayunga after he raced clear on goal and Max Loveridge headed a Nathan Walker off the line.

Despite losing Osborne with a shoulder injury just on half-time, the Reds stepped up their game and were rewarded on 75 minutes when Shearer was sent sprawling by Matt Oldring’s challenge. Oldring was red-carded and Shearer slotted home his third goal of the season.

Nine minutes later, Walker-Harris, under pressure on the line, could only push up an in swinging corner from Kyle Haynes and Carline leapt highest to nod home.

REDDITCH: (4-1-3-2) Veiga 7; Haynes 7, Mutton 7, Richards 8, Flanagan 6; Loveridge 7 (Young, 80); Baker 6, Osborne 6 (Fearon, 45, 6; McFee, 60, 6); Carline 8; Shearer 7, Molyneux 7. Subs not used: Swan, Moreton.