REDDITCH UNITED (0) 1 Paget Rangers (0) 0

ADAM Nicholls was Redditch's hero as his late strike ensured they picked up maximum points on the opening day of the Dr Martens League Western Division season.

It seemed they would have to settle for a disappointing draw before the midfielder broke the stalemate in the 78th minute with a rising shot.

It followed a cross from the left by stand-in skipper Neil Manton, which was played on to Nicholls by Paul Molloy.

The Reds suffered a huge blow after 11 minutes when Paul Burton, last season's top scorer, limped off to be replaced by Molloy.

A minute later Ross Knight should have got Redditch off the mark from the penalty spot after Jamie Hart was brought down by James Bunch, but Knight struck it wide.

Hart was full of running and was unlucky not to open his account just before half time when he beat Paget keeper Anstiss, but could only watch as his rasping effort rebounded off the post.

The loose ball fell to Nicholls, who had time to control the ball, but instead he struck it first time and off target.

The second period began well for the Reds, with Hart forcing a fine save from the keeper. Hart then turned creator feeding Nicholls on the edge of the six-yard box, but his effort was blocked by Anstiss.

Redditch were given a scare two minutes before taking the lead when substitute Ruddock floated a lob over the bar with keeper Dave Adey out of position.

Hart had a chance to double the lead in the final minute when he beat the offside trap and was left one-on-one with the keeper, but Anstiss denied the Redditch forward.

Redditch: Adey, Knight, Randall, Manton, Gillett, Dearlove, Cope (Tilley 71), Nicholls, Burton (Molloy 11), Smith (Mulders 80).

l Booked: Cope, foul

l Attendance: 201

l Man of the match: Hart.