REDDITCH U 2 HAYES & Y 1

REECE HEWITT bagged a second half winner to keep Redditch on the brink of the play-off places.

Darren Byfield’s side could not have wished for a better start, taking the lead after just 17 seconds, when slick passing between Danico Johnson and Max Loveridge teed up former Walsall striker David McDermott and he made no mistake from the edge of the six-yard box.

Five minutes later it could have been 2-0 when Johnson found himself goalside of defender Manny Adebowale, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by visiting keeper Louis Wells.

Hayes went close early on with Dylan Kearney guiding a shot past Reds keeper Brad Catlow, only for Jordan Jones to clear off the line.

After such a frenetic start, the remainder of the half lacked clearcut chances but that all changed again at the start of the second half with the visitors levelling three minutes after the break.

James Harper’s freekick was headed in from close range by Harold Joseph.

But the celebrations were cut short when Redditch regained the lead five minutes later, Hewitt cutting in off the wing and finding the bottom left-hand corner.

The visitors pressed late on, with substitute and leading scorer Lloyd Macklin keeping the home defence busy, but the Reds kept them at bay to secure all three points.