REDDITCH United left it late this week, 94 minutes to be precise, before they reeled off a 1-0 win at Royston Town.

Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham snapped up a last gasp winner as Reds held their nerve to beat a robust Royston side.

The result was a testimony to Reds' strength in depth as boss Paul Smith was forced to ring the changes to his side as a legacy to the previous week’s 1-1 draw with St Neots Town which resulted with three Redditch players being sent off.

Smith was forced to rule out the suspended trio of James Bowen, Richard Batchelor and Michel McGrath.

To make matters worse, Smith was also without injured central defender Rob Evans, so Worcester City recruit Jordan Stoddard was drafted into the heart of the defence for only his second game.

Smith also brought in Lewis Wright to replace James Bowen at full-back while Josh Hawker and Hereford United loanee Harry Franklin were installed in the middle of the park for the absent Richard Batchelor and Michael McGrath.

A delighted Smith said: “It was a real good away performance and showed just what strength in depth we have this season.

“We did consider appealing against last week’s red cards – but in the end we decided to let it go."

Smith added: “There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch and Royston chose to play against it during the first half.

“We had one real chance, Jack Storer breaking through with a one-on-one with the keeper, but shot straight at him.

“Shaquille had a lobbed shot that went just wide in the second while Royston struck the crossbar with a 30 yard thunderbolt.

“Apart from that, there was little else and from our point of view, it was a real good away performance."

Reds will remain without their suspended trio for this Saturday’s short distance trip to second-placed Stourbridge and Smith insisted: “It will be a big test, especially as Stourbridge still have title aspirations – but we’re four games unbeaten now and the spirit within the camp is very good."