Stafford Rangers 1 (1) REDDITCH UNITED 0 (0)

BRILLIANT Dave Adey again stole the show but he could not prevent Redditch United from slumping to a 1-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

The Redditch keeper pulled off three brilliant saves inside the opening six minutes as the home side looked to stamp their authority on the game.

Just 26 seconds had gone when he somehow kept out a Richard Mitchell effort and he then pulled off a spectacular save to palm a Tony Ecclestone header over the bar.

Stephen Jones also found Adey blocking his path, but all his hard work was undone by defender Neil Manton's wayward pass that was worked to Ecclestone to blast home on 22 minutes.

Jamie Hart forced a good save from Richard Williams in the home goal moments earlier and Reds almost bagged an equaliser five minutes before the break when Paul Danks again tested the Stafford keeper.

The Redditch back four, including Paul Molloy against one of his former clubs, looked far more secure after the break with Manton and Mark Dearlove snuffing out a number of chances created by the home side.

Danks fired over from six yards following good work by Hart out wide but the best chance of the second half fell to Stafford wing back Leigh Everritt who jinked his way past three defenders only to be denied by the foot of the post.

Redditch: Adey, Knight, M Smith, Molloy, Dearlove, Manton, Field, Williams, Cross, Hart, Danks. Subs: Sutton, Cope, Mulders.

Attendance: 500

Man of the match: Adey