REDDITCH United manager Liam McDonald believes a solid win over Chesham will stand their Southern League Premier play-off push in good stead for the rest of the season.

The Reds bounced back from last week’s 1-0 loss over King’s Lynn by edging out the visitors to the Valley Stadium, thanks to an 86th-minute penalty by substitute Ashley Sammons.

Victory lifted Redditch back into the top five and set them up for two away games.

United were set to tackle bottom side Bideford on Tuesday before making the long trip to St Neots on Saturday (3pm ko).

He said: “Chesham are not that high up in the league but they are actually a good side with one of the division’s best strikers.

“But I was disappointed with the first half and I told the lads at the break and we improved.

“We decided to start Ashley Sammons on the bench but we told all the subs they could have an important to play and they did.

“It was a good win and it gets us back into the play-off spots.”

United also handed a start to former West Bromwich Albion youngster Jake Hallahan.

McDonald said: “Jake lives five minutes from Redditch United and he turned up at training.

“I didn’t know anything about him but it was clear after a few training sessions that he’s a good player at this level.

“He likes to get forward and attack and I thought he was one of our best players against Chesham and he even played a part in the build-up to our penalty.”

The manager also said he had not heard any more about suspensions handed to Jazz Luckie and Jim Mutton.

The duo were dismissed in the loss to King’s Lynn after a fracas but Reds were prepared to appeal any punishment.