BUCKS FIZZIN’ KEVIN’S BOYS

AFC Telford United further cemented third position and closed to within a point of second-placed Mickleover with a result that pleased their manager Kevin Wilkin.

However, the Telford boss felt his side didn’t quite find the levels he ideally wanted to see them performing at.

“There were moments where we got a little loose at certain times, where we had to keep the players up to their work and make them understand how important it is to just do the simple things really well,” Wilkin said.

“A major plus was we created chances throughout and good chances as well. We could have been out of sight by half-time.”

For Redditch, a fifth straight defeat, coinciding with the absence of manager Matt Clarke, has made them vulnerable to losing a playoff place that has long looked to be theirs.

Assistant manager Keron Jackson felt his side didn’t do themselves any favours, saying: “The important thing is when you’re given a job you do it. It’s difficult enough coming here and what we needed to do was stay in the game, something we set out to do. To concede the first was very disappointing.”

The Bucks could have been in front as early as the fourth minute but Montel Gibson got underneath a chance created by Jared Hodgkiss.

Walker found the frame of the goal with a free-kick but it was Gibson who headed the Bucks into the lead in the 25th minute.

Remi Walker’s corner landed on his head a few yards out and Gibson buried his header.

Substitute Matty Stenson was soon on target after his introduction, forcing home a corner in the 50th minute at the far post.

Redditch tried hard to turn things aroundbut the closest they came was a Jack Concannon effort that flew wide from outside the box.

Wilkin’s side put the game to bed on 71 minutes when they sprung the offside trap and sent Stenson into space on the right. His lofted ball found Gibson and his touch set up Walker to fire in low.

Gibson hit a post while Hall’s penalty save from Reece Flanagan preserved his clean sheet.