Vauxhall Motors 1

Redditch United 2

IT was a matter of third time lucky for Redditch United as they finally notched up their first win of the season.

The victory may have come courtesy of a last gasp own goal but it mattered not to the visitors who were grateful to finally kick-start their season.

The Reds made two changes to the side that defeated by Nuneaton Borough in midweek with Sean Flynn and Scott Rickards both missing out with groin injuries.

Their places were taken by veteran playmaker Mark Taylor and evergreen striker John Williams who made his first start for the Valley Stadium side.

Williams and Craig Wilding made a towering partnership in attack but found life tough against a strong Vauxhall backline early on.

And it was the home side who had the better of the chances, forcing Reds stopper Ryan Young into a number of fine saves to keep the Motormen at bay.

Had it not been for some resolute defending from skipper Matt Clarke and the solid Gary Knight, Vauxhall could easily have opened up an early advantage.

Redditch took the lead on 22 minutes with a goal totally against the run of play.

A Lee Jenkins corner from the left channel found the head of Wilding in the Vauxhall box. The ball dropped for Chris Murphy whose lofted effort back into the danger zone was flicked on by Jenkins flicked for midfielder Carl Palmer to fire home.

Young was called into action four minutes later as he pushed a free-kick from Sam McNutt around the post.

The home side continued to push for an equaliser and Peter Cumiskey should have done better as he surged into the Redditch box only for the legs of Young to deny the Vauxhall midfielder.

As Redditch went in ahead at the break, it was left for the home side to rue their missed opportunities.

Brian Moogan sent an effort fizzing over the crossbar but, on 58 minutes, the Cheshire side were on level terms. Leighton McGivern skipped through a challenge and smashed a low drive at Young. The keeper failed to smother the ball and Cumiskey struck the follow-up home.

This was nothing less than Vauxhall deserved and they had plenty of opportunities to take the lead. McGivern tormented the Redditch back-line and it took the fingertips of Young to push his curling drive over the bar with 12 minutes remaining.

There was a final sting in the tail, though, as Daire Doyle's corner found Danny Scheppel in the last minute. The ball was returned to Doyle on the left and his cross struck former Liverpool trainee Phil Brazier and ended up in the back of the Vauxhall net.