PAUL Smith believes his Redditch United side still require two more wins to make certain of their Evo Stik South Central Premier status for next season.

Reds remain eight points clear of the dropzone following their 4-1 defeat at second placed Stourbridge last Saturday and Smith pulled no punches when he insisted: “We were beaten by the better side. Going to play a Stourbridge side who still have an outside chance of winning the title, was always going to be tough”.

Aaron Forde fired Stourbridge into an early lead but Reds hit back within three minutes through Robbie Bunn.

A second Glassboys goal from Paul McCone put Stourbridge ahead at the break, with Forde and McCone increasing the advantage still further in the second half.

Smith said: “We went there heavily depleted as we were missing the likes of Richard Batchelor, Michael McGrath and James Bowen who were all suspended while Rob Evans remains on the injury list.

“We lacked their quality and experience to cope with the conditions - but dispute that, we did really well in the first half and could have easily gone in at half time 2-2 as Denico Johnson went really close to equalising."

Smith is also resigned to losing midfield man Jack Storer who has become a target for promotion chasing rivals Alvechurch but Smith stressed: “I’m not actively looking to bring anyone else in at this stage, although you are always looking if any quality becomes available that you think is better than what you already have.

Life doesn’t get any easier for Reds as they entertain an in-form Tamworth side this Saturday.

Smith added: “Tamworth have won seven of their last eight games and are probably the best form side in the league at the moment. They have artificial facilities at their disposal, so our pitch will not faze them.

“Tamworth are also likely to bring plenty of support, so we should be on course for a bumper crowd”.