Evesham United 2 Redditch United 0

REDDITCH rolled up their sleeves and battled in a typical blood-and-thunder Worcester-shire derby.

The chances came thick and fast at both ends in an entertaining encounter and the visitors' never-say-die attitude was typified by Steve Frost in the 73rd minute.

With his side 2-0 down, Frost chased back fully 30 yards like a freight train to dispossess the lively Stuart Payne.

But their efforts proved fruitless as the hosts scored two opportunistic goals amid the full-blooded tackles and bouts of head tennis.

Dean Roberts had already fired wide for Evesham before Phil Preedy struck a dubious first on 11 minutes.

Steve McCartan sent an offside-looking Roberts free down the left and Preedy supplied the perfect finish into the top corner close in.

Neil Beagan, for Redditch, and Roberts missed chances before Frost was narrowly over with a clever lobbed effort.

The profligate Roberts spurned another chance before a panicking Steve Taylor headed just over his own bar.

And Beagan failed to get enough on a far post header ten minutes before the break as Redditch fought back.

Paul Danks forced a save from Evesham keeper Danny Watson before the break and was claiming a penalty after the restart after falling under a Watson challenge.

Payne doubled the hosts' advantage in the box after an Andy Smith ball but there was no let-up in the tempo.

Reds sub Michael Campbell swivelled in the area and fired over after beating Watson to yet another up-and-under and was thwarted again in the 72nd minute, this time by the keeper's foot.

Beagan was inches from converting a volley from sub Nigel Brown as Redditch poured forward leaving yawning gaps at the back.

Payne missed a golden opportunity with only Harvey Willetts to beat but made amends ten minutes from time by playing Evesham sub Steve Lutz free in the box.

Lutz rounded Willetts and turned away in celebration only for the ball to hit the far post, roll along the line and be hacked clear by Reds sub Tommy Byrne.

In a frantic finish Ian Mitchell was just over for Redditch with a dipper from 25 yards and Campbell was inches away with a glancing header at the far post from a Mark Swann free kick on the right.

Five minutes from time Lutz stretched Willetts before sparking the customary dust-up between the sides with a late tackle on Danks which earned him a second yellow.

There was still time for Reds defender Mark Creighton to head wide another Swann cross from the right five minutes into injury time.

But a goal would have been too little too late for Redditch.