Cirencester Town 2 Redditch United 3

IT took three attempts but the win promised by a recent upturn in performances finally came on a rain-lashed night in Gloucestershire.

A pre-match soaking had left the centre circle a quagmire but Reds boss Rod Brown will have been grateful the game went ahead after securing a win which should banish any lingering relegation fears.

The visitors played the elements well from the off and could have been ahead in the 17th minute but Matty Hall delayed his shot too long.

It took an incredible save by United keeper Neil Olden - unspotted by the ref - to stop Dave Gee scoring with a blistering 35 yard free kick a minute later but United broke the deadlock shortly after.

Andy Minturn's necklock on Paul Danks in the box was not difficult for the official to spot and the Redditch hitman scored an unconventional penalty, via the ground in front of keeper Kevin Sawyer.

The lead lasted only six minutes with Ashley Reed waltzing through the middle of the visiting defence before calmly rifling home a low effort.

Olden again had to be at his best on 34 minutes to deny Reed and the forward proved Redditch's saviour before the break when he unwittingly deflected a goalbound Minturn header to safety.

United escaped after 52 minutes when Keith Knight twice hit the woodwork within a minute and went behind a minute later when David Godley finally scored after the visitors repeatedly failed to clear their lines after a dash out of his area by Olden.

But Brown's men are made of sterner stuff these days and were back in it after 57 minutes when Nigel Niblett knocked down a long free kick for Hall to sweep home.

Sensing blood, Reds stopper Knight was inches over with a blistering free kick on the hour and ten minutes later the winner arrived as Sawyer failed to hold a low effort from Hall and Peter Sutton was on hand to calmly finish into the top right corner with the outside of his boot.

The hosts could have levelled seven minutes from time but sub James Blastland fired across Olden and wide after a defence splitting pass from Minturn.

And despite a frantic finish the Reds hung on for a deserved win.