REDDITCH UTD (1)1 Bilston Town (0) 1

A late own goal by Mark Dearlove denied Redditch their first home league win of the season against a physical Bilston Town side.

Just eight minutes had gone when the in-form Adam Nicholls gave Redditch the lead, scoring his third goal of the season, prodding home Paul Burton's' downward header from Neil Manton's free kick.

But the lead was almost cancelled out six minutes later when Scott Voice's header was hacked off the line by Dean Tilley.

Bilston nearly pulled level when Chris Burton wasted a fine cross from the right, skying his effort over the bar.

Redditch's Burton was then guilty of wasting a fine opportunity carved out by Nicky Cross. His square ball caught out the Bilston defence, leaving Burton free to run at the keeper, but instead he opted to strike from 22-yards out and totally mis-hit the ball.

Burton was almost kicked out of the game, when former Redditch player Gary Osbourne scythed down the attacker, forcing the referee to make the only booking of the game.

Bilston grew in stature and dominated the latter stages as they searched for an equaliser.

The home side were indebted to keeper Dave Adey, who denied Chris Burton three times in quick succession, and Ross Knight, who cleared off his line.

And when it seemed the Reds would hold out for three points, Dearlove headed in to his own goal six minutes from time after Voice's flick had caused panic in the home defence.

Redditch United: Adey, Knight, Randall, Manton, Gillett, Mulders (Molloy 62), Tilley (Cope 79), Nicholls, Burton, Cross (Hart 62), Dearlove.

l Attendance: 177

l Man of the match: Adey

REDDITCH UTD (1) 1 Wolves XI (2) 3

THE Valley Stadium's new floodlights were fittingly celebrated on Wednesday night, with an entertaining game.

But Wolves could have been excused for thinking it was the floodgates which had opened, netting two goals in the opening six minutes.

Reds had no answer to the youthful Wolves side which took the lead through Shane Tudor's fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area in the third minute.

This was followed by another powerful effort, Keith Andrew slotting home a deflected cross.

The shell-shocked Reds found their composure to respond five minutes later through Paul Burton, who latched on to Adam Nicholls' knock-down, won under pressure from Wolves keeper Steve Mautone.

The game evened out with both sides playing some good football but it was the visitors who created a host of chances only to be denied by man-of-the-match Dave Adey.

But there was little he could do about Wolves' third on 70 minutes when Scott Pearson headed home from Mark Jones' cross.

Redditch: Adey, Knight (Yapp 45), M Smith (Cope 45), Manton (Gillett 87), Gillett (Mulders 69), Mulders (Dearlove 45), Randall, Nicholls, Burton (Tilley 45), Hart (Burton 69), Sutton. Subs (not used) R Smith.

l Attendance: 210