Merthyr Town 2, Redditch United 1

Redditch suffered their first defeat in six games as Merthyr came from behind to take the points, writes to David Lawrence.

The visitors had the better of the chances early on with George Carline heading just wide after getting on the end of an Ashley Sammons corner.

The breakthrough came on 31 minutes, a slick passing move that saw Luke Shearer and Sammons combine before the ball was worked to Sam Merson who slotted home his second goal in as many games since linking up from Biggleswade Town.

But the goal spurred the home side into action and they responded with two goals before the break.

Substitute Kayne McLaggon was on target with the first on 34 minutes, charging down Calum Flanagan’s clearance before wrong-footing keeper Jose Veiga and rolling the ball into the net.

And with three minutes of the half remaining, the Martyrs scored what proved to be their winner when the Reds defence failed to clear their lines and Jon Brown fired home from 18 yards.

There could have been a third for Merthyr at the start of the second half but this time McLaggon sent his header the wrong side of the post.

From then on United pressed for an equaliser but struggled to break down a solid home defence.

Merson had a shot deflected wide of the target before Sammons saw his effort parried by keeper Glen Garner before being cleared by his defence.

Jack Hallahan was the first of three Redditch substitutes in the final quarter and he twice went close to equalising, firing wide from just outside the area and then seeing an 81st minute shot well saved by keeper Garner.

And then, in the final minute, Simeon Maye miscued in front of goal following good work by Merson.

Reds: Veiga 6, Maye 6, Cullinane-Liburd 6, Carline 7, Flanagan 6, RICHARDS 7, Thompson-Brown 6 (Molyneux 82), Loveridge 5 (Hallahan 67, 6), Shearer 6 (Ellis 75), Sammons 6, Merson 6. Subs (not used): Young, Bako.