Redditch United 3 Solihull Borough 3

SIX goals, a sending off and two injuries - there was no lack of incident in a dour Worcestershire Senior Cup quarter final.

Only 93 hardy souls braved the elements on a freezing night at The Valley Stadium but those that did saw Rod Brown's side avoid defeat at the fourth time of asking.

It was not pretty but the Scot will draw encouragement from seeing his side put in a gritty display to battle back after Paul Danks' dismissal and even flirt with victory.

Three goals is hardly the stuff of a meagre defence but there were signs of improvement in a rearguard again cruelly deprived of two key members.

With United already able to field just three of the permitted five substitutes, including an unfit Paul West, Brown again had to contend with seeing two of his starters limp off.

Goalkeeper Martyn Lakin was the first casualty, barely able to limp off and clutching his back after stretching for a straighforward looking ball.

Worse was to follow as the imposing shot-stopper was stretchered to hospital in an ambulance in the second half.

Teenager Chris Scott was again an able deputy and could have a bright future but Brown is unlikely to want to rely on a youth-teamer in a battle against relegation.

Captain Lee Knight was also replaced at the break after appearing to suffer a blow to the shoulder he injured during his brief stint at Halesowen.

And Danks was given his marching orders in the 71st minute for dissent after Peter Sutton's perfect cross allowed Naveed Arshad to put the visitors 2-1 up.

Borough old boy Ian Mitchell was the hero for United, he fired the hosts in front with a 34th minute rocket from the edge of the area and levelled for the Reds with another peach 17 minutes from time.

Sub Derek Hall had headed Solihull's equaliser on 56 minutes but the visitors found themselves facing defeat eight minutes from time after Tommy Byrne's powerful header.

But within a minute Portuguese full back Manuel Pereira had ensured the tie would go to a replay.

A welcome victory but even without a goal in five matches United will miss 15 goal hitman Danks when his suspension cuts in.