Redditch United 2, Biggleswade Town 2

REDDITCH extended their unbeaten run to eight matches but it felt like a missed opportunity to strengthen their promotion challenge.

Goals from Daniel Dubidat and George Carline had edged the Reds ahead just past the hour mark and few would dispute they were the better team.

Then, on 65 minutes, even Biggleswade’s fans were left bemused when a harshly-awarded penalty handed them the chance to equalise which they duly did.

It set up a fantastic finale and both sides had chances to take the three points.

For the Reds, Dubidat and Luke Shearer had efforts saved by keeper Ian Brown but Redditch No 1 Jose Veiga performed even better, mixing bravery to block Inih Effiong’s shot and then agility to tip over Sam Merson’s stinging shot.

It had been Merson, the son of former Villa, Arsenal and England player, who had given the Waders the lead on 15 minutes, spinning to fire home after a Max York throw-in.

Effiong had two chances to extend the lead, but Veiga twice rescued the Reds, and Redditch had parity on 27 minutes. Ashley Sammons, back controlling the play from midfield, found Dubidat with a precise pass and the top scorer slotted home his eighth goal of the season.

Another Sammons’ delivery, from a left-wing corner, provided Carline with the chance to net an unstoppable header for his seventh goal of the season on 61 minutes.

But the lead lasted only four minutes. Lewis Hilliard went tumbling by the byline after picking up a short corner and referee Philip Hardisty pointed to the spot.

If the award was debateable, there was no such dispute about the way Shane Hill smashed the spot kick into the bottom corner.

The result left the Reds third in the Southern Premier table.

REDDITCH: Veiga 8; Young 6, Mutton 6, Richards 7, Flanagan 6; Shearer 6, Loveridge 6 (Baker, 16, 7); Carline 6, Molyneux 6, Sammons 8; Dubidat 6 (Mutibvu, 84). Subs: Swan, Bridgwater, Osborne.