Redditch United 0 Gresley 0

What a difference a manager makes.

Under Nicky Cross the Redditch United faithful knew they were always guaranteed goals at the Valley - albeit often at the wrong end.

But Rod Brown's promise of organising his team in a bid to stave off relegation seems to be bearing fruit after consecutive goalless draws at the Valley.

Brown has promised chairman Neil Pagett the Valley Stadium will be a fortress next season and is already building towards that aim.

That said, the hosts were outplayed for long periods last night and had to rely on a combination of the woodwork, good luck and some inspirational goalkeeping from Neil Olden to come away with a precious clean sheet.

Captain Lee Knight was impressive as the fulcrum of Brown's trademark three man defence, where he was joined by Tommy Byrne and new boy Quentin Townsend.

But Chris Evans could have put the visitors ahead after six minutes and the defence was at sixes and sevens as Andy Bourne shot too near Olden two minutes later.

Gresley had the bit between their teeth and Chris Parkin was the first to be athletically denied by Olden after 12 minutes.

Craig Harris and Lee Booth had half chances as United found their feet and midfielder Lea Shaw, enjoying an impressive debut, set Paul Danks up only for Saul Deeney to deny the forward with a brave intervention.

Parkin and Woolley had further chances as Gresley continued to pour forward and Gray's 20 yarder hit Richard Beale on the goalline on the stroke of half time.

It was more of the same after the interval as Parkin miscued before Andy Bourne's strong penalty appeal was ignored on 54 minutes.

Olden brought the crowd to their feet two minutes later, brilliantly saving a Richard Wardle rocket after Bourne's chipped effort came back off the crossbar in the 56th minute.

Three minutes later and again Olden thwarted Parkin in an enticing duel.

Richard Field and Mark Swann came close as the hosts sensed an upset before Olden was again in the right place at the right time to keep out Parkin's back header after a spot of juggling.

And United even had a chance to steal the points late on with two chances for Danks who chipped wide before seeing a fierce effort well held by Deeney.

Defeat would have been harsh on the visitors but Brown will look upon the result as a hard-earned point.

He has set his side a 26 point survival target and has four more to go with a trip to third placed Weston looming at the weekend.

A point from the seaside would be very welcome.