Redditch United 1, Histon 0

REDDITCH needed a late George Carline header to finally break through a solid Histon defence and secure the three points needed to keep their title hopes on rack.

And although rivals Poole Town replaced the Valley Stadium outfit at the top of the table on goal difference following their 5-0 mauling of Bedworth United, the Reds could regain their place at the helm with at least a point at home to Frome Town tonight [Monday].

The below-par home side dominated the chances throughout and could have taken the lead after just seven minutes when Jazz Luckie drilled in a shot on the turn only to see his effort hit the upright.

Robbie Thompson-Brown twice went close before he teed up skipper Ashley Sammons but the latter’s shot was defelcted just the wrong side of the post.

Histon striker Josh Oyinsan was off target at the other end late in the half and Matty Allen fired a shot straight at Reds keeper Jose Veiga at the start of the second.

But these were rare forays into the United area with the home side continuing to have the upperhand.

Jack Hallahan pushed a shot wide and then struck the foot of the post after good work from Luckie.

With five minutes to go it looked as though it would be a frustrating afternoon for Liam McDonald’s men as a well-worked move saw Jim Mutton head on a Calum Flanagan free-kick but Luckie was denied by a fine point-blank block from visiting keeper Denzel Gerrar.

But the breakthrough did come a minute later when Sammons floated in a free-kick from the right and Carline looped a header over the Histon shotstopper and in off the underside of the bar.

Reds: Veiga 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6 (Shearer 76), Flanagan 6, Carline 7, Mutton 7, Richards 7, Thompson-Brown 7 (Molyneux 73), LOVERIDGE 7, Luckie 6, Sammons 6, Hallahan 5 (Maye 59, 5). Subs (not used): Young, Bridgewater