REDDITCH United were forced to share the points from a 1-1 draw at the Valley Stadium against title-chasing Bedford Town in front of a bumper crowd.
Anthony Dwyer’s well-worked finish put the Reds ahead before Leon Lobjoit tucked away a penalty in the fifth minute of injury-time in Southern League Premier Division Central last Saturday.
The game attracted a gate of 1,470 with free entry for fans.
Joel Shambrook and Dylan Thomas returned to the starting XI while new signing Rivel Mardenborough, recruited from Darlaston Town, was handed his debut up top.
The first effort fell the Reds’ way as Mardenborough and Thomas worked well before finding Dwyer down the right but his near-post effort was held by keeper Jameson Horlick.
The visitors launched a long throw into the area which was flicked onto the bar and eventually cleared.
Bedford did have the ball in the back of the net but the referee blew the whistle for a high-foot challenge on Kyle Rowley.
There were efforts at both ends with Thomas getting on the end of Jack Kelly’s cross but not troubling Horlick.
Then Lobjoit’s strike from outside the area was held comfortably by Ollie Taylor.
Thomas could not convert Kelly’s corner on the stroke of half-time.
Early in the second half Redditch's Josh Esen whipped in a free-kick across goal but no one could get a final touch.
Mardenborough then fired an audacious effort narrowly over.
In the 63rd minute Redditch took the lead in superb fashion.
Mardenborough carried the ball down the left before putting in a great ball for Dwyer who lobbed the keeper to put his side deservedly ahead.
The game burst into life as Bedford looked to respond.
Lobjoit had a strike from distance blocked before Rowley produced some incredible defending to block a shot from inside the six-yard box.
There were five minutes added for stoppage time and Redditch gave everything, throwing bodies behind the ball.
However, in the final minute Bedford were awarded a penalty when substitute Edward Panter went down in the box and Lobjoit converted, forcing the sides to share the points.
Redditch, who visit struggling AFC Sudbury in the league on Saturday (3pm), then lost 2-0 at home to Coventry City under 21s in the Birmingham Senior Cup quarter-finals on Monday.
The Reds are now five points off the relegation zone in 17th position.
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