REDDITCH United had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a mid-table clash against St Ives Town after Ryan Boothe’s penalty was cancelled out by a George Munday strike.
Wolves loanee Josh Esen, a 20-year-old midfielder and Welsh youth international, made his first start for Reds in the Southern League Premier Division Central fixture while Joel Shambrook was brought into the starting XI.
The visitors had a good chance in the 11th minute when a short free-kick was floated in and fell to a St Ives man whose powerful effort was blocked by Kyle Rowley.
Redditch were forced into an early substitution through injury with Macauley King replaced by Brad Burton.
Jack Kelly shifted into centre-half and Burton occupied the left-back position.
Redditch forward Marvellous Onabirekhanlen was flagged for offside numerous times as Matt Clarke’s side pressed well but lacked the final ball to unlock the defence.
Just before half-time Rowley came close to opening the scoring after his header at the back post was blocked near the line.
The sides entered the break tied in a half with few clear-cut chances.
Home keeper Ollie Taylor was forced into an important save early on in the second half to deny a quick break.
In the 57th minute Redditch won a penalty when Nick Clayton-Phillips’ cross was misjudged by Alexander Collard and the ball hit the arm of the St Ives captain.
Boothe calmly slotted away the spot-kick to the keeper’s left.
Clayton-Phillips then followed up with a powerful hit that was held well by keeper Daniel Wilks.
But the away side began to put on the pressure and a mistake in the middle of the park saw Munday played through before he smashed a left-footed finish into the top corner to equalise.
St Ives could have won the game late on after an effort flew over before Joshua Allen hit the underside of the bar in the 87th minute.
Redditch head to AFC Telford United in the league on Saturday (3pm).
Meanwhile, Alvechurch visit Halesowen Town in the league on Saturday (3pm) and then Banbury next Tuesday (7.45pm).
They go to Bromsgrove Sporting in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-finals on Tuesday (7.45pm) after Saturday's home league game with AFC Sudbury was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Church beat Bishop's Stortford 1-0 last week at Lye Meadow with Brad Stretton on target.
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