Redditch United 0

Lancaster City 1

GOALS are proving hard to come by for Reds this season - but it is certainly not for the lack of chances.

Craig Wilding missed a hatful in the season's opener with Leigh two weeks ago and it was business as usual for the former Stafford Rangers striker as he again failed to find the target.

With just five minutes gone, the towering frontman broke free from his marker connected with Matt Clarke's inch perfect cross from the right ... and steered his header two yards wide of the target!

The miss was to prove costly for Reds who then fell behind on 19 minutes.

Redditch keeper Ryan Young had done well to keep out an earlier Andy Scott drive but when Joe McMahon was left unmarked from Ryan Elderton's free-kick, the defender had little trouble in steering his effort home.

As the half wore on, Reds continued to dominate but the closest they came to an equaliser was on 44 minutes when, after more good work from star man Clarke, Carl Palmer's shot was well taken by the City keeper.

The second half saw the Valley Stadium side up the tempo and they were denied en equaliser by Tony McMillan's excellent point blank save.

With six minutes of the half gone, John Williams sent WIlding in beyond the Lancaster defence but the visiting stopper was up to the task.

Moments later the diminutive Chris Murphy put a header wide before skipper Clarke forced McMillan into a scrambled save at his near post after another marauding run into the area.

Brown had included winger Mike McGrath for his first start but it was a baptism of fire for the youngster who was replaced by Paul Moore for the final stages.

And it was Lancaster who finished the stronger, almost adding to their lead ten minutes from time when Neil Uberschar volleyed wide.