Solihull Borough 1 Redditch United 1

A PAUL Danks penalty, 21 minutes in was the sole reward after United dominated the first half against their high-flying neighbours.

Reds boss Nicky Cross will have been casting envious glances at Borough's lofty league position with Dave Busst's men starting the day second in the table.

But, as ever, United raised their game against strong opponents and more than held their own in a polished first half.

But it was home striker Derek Hall, the butt of abuse from the Solihull crowd, who came closest to opening the scoring 12 minutes in when he was sent clean through the Reds back line only to fire across goal.

The visitors made their breakthrough after a trademark Ian Mitchell 25 yarder was deflected into the air and Steve Frost, following up, was tugged back in the area.

From the moment Danks placed the ball, the result was beyond doubt as the United top-scorer took his tally to 14 for the season.

Two minutes later Frost headed wide a Danks centre as the two combined.

Cross was able to see transfer target Peter Sutton in action as the forward, recalled to the Borough lineup at Chris Smith's expense, missed two half chances.

In the 26th minute an attempted lob failed to trouble Harvey Willetts and three minutes before the break the United keeper had to keep out a diving header from the striker.

The hosts rallied after the break with Willetts palming away a powerful Richard Beale effort after Sutton got behind the Reds rearguard on 48 minutes.

Solihull were level 13 minutes from time after Scott Colcombe failed to cut out a diagonal ball to Simon Hollis on the edge of the box.

Hollis' first time cross crashed into Colcombe's arm and the game's second contentious penalty was given.

Sub Smith scored from the spot despite Willetts getting a hand to it and neither side failed to get the winner despite a frantic last ten.

Paul Danks' penalty appeals were waved away after a heavy challenge from Borough keeper Jason Pearcey and seconds later Willetts improvised to save brilliantly with his legs from Hall.

Smith dragged his shot badly wide three minutes from time after springing the offside trap and two minutes later the referee ignored another penalty appeal after Frost was flattened in the area. And at the death Hollis headed an inviting Smith cross over after Hall rode several challenges in the middle.