Redditch United (2) 3

Sutton Coldfield Tn (3) 3

REDDITCH United staged an amazing comeback on Saturday as they bounced back from being 3-0 down after 10 minutes to get a share of the spoils against Sutton Coldfield Town.

The draw stretched the Reds unbeaten run to five and showed a spirit in the side not seen for a long time according to manager Rob Smith.

Reds were rocked on five minutes when a cruel bounce on the edge of the penalty area saw keeper Dave Adey make an uncharacteristic error as visiting striker Ian Drewitt closed in to capitalise, slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

Drewitt doubled the lead four minutes later with a superb volley over a stranded Adey after the defence had failed to clear.

And before Redditch could recover from the double set-back they went further behind after Mark Dearlove allowed Sutton's Stuart Holt to take possession and whip in a cross for Nick Kirk to score an easy chance .

It looked like it would be a miserable afternoon for the Reds but they clawed their way back into the match with two goals before half-time.

James Cope got the first firing home from 12 yards after Nicky Cross fooled a defender to slide the ball into the midfielder's path.

It spurred Redditch on and both Dearlove and Mark Smith went close before Craig Gillett reduced the deficit after an error in the visitors' defence allowed him to poke the ball home.

The second-half saw Sutton attempting to hold on the slender lead with Cross a constant thorn in their side.

Just six minutes after the restart Reds thought they were level when Ross Knight tucked away a Cross centre, but it was ruled offside.

Reds crowned the stunning comeback on 73 minutes when Peter Sutton advanced down the right flank firing the ball goal-bound, but the in-rushing Cope ensured it went in, forcing it home from two yards.

But Redditch almost threw the game away in the final 10 minutes with Adey pulling off fine saves from Sutton's Drewitt and Kirk, and Peter Sutton hacked a header from Royston Richardson off the line.

Redditch: Adey, Knight, Smith, Molloy, Gillett, Dearlove, Cope, Nicholls, Cross, Hart (Burton 45), Sutton (Tilley 85). Subs not used Mulders

Booked: Gillett - foul

Attendance: 191

Man of the match: Cross