FA Umbro Trophy First Round

Gresley Rovers (0) 0

REDDITCH UNITED (1) 1

NICKY Cross bagged his second goal of the season to give Redditch a slender victory over a resolute Gresley Rovers on Saturday.

Reds started the strongest of the sides and were gifted a chance to take the lead after just three minutes from a free kick inside the area after home keeper Stuart Ford handled Paul Dowell's goal-bound back pass.

But the opportunity was wasted as Stuart Randall blasted his shot into the eight-man Gresley wall.

Redditch took the lead on 15 minutes when Gresley failed to clear Randall's corner. The ball broke to Dearlove at the far post and his fierce effort was blocked on the line by David Kearns, but the loose ball fell to Cross, who made no mistake from three yards out.

Reds thought they had scored again 13 minutes later when Craig Gillett headed home Rob Smith's free kick but it was ruled out for offside.

Gresley were a shadow of the side which won 2-0 at the Valley Stadium in August, and only threatened the visitors' goal on the stroke of half time when a slip by Gillett allowed Steve Coates to test keeper Dave Adey, who turned his effort round the post.

A scrappy second half saw Gresley pick up the tempo as they went in search of an equaliser, Steve Spooner failing to capitalise on a mix up between Gillett and Adey in the 65th minute.

The lively Spooner was Gresley's most potent threat and he almost grabbed them a lifeline on 74 minutes when he unleashed a 25-yard drive which beat Adey, but hit the bar and bounced to safety.

Redditch held firm for the final 15 minutes to record their first clean sheet in eight games to deny Gresley victory.

Redditch: Adey, Manton, Randall, Molloy (Sutton 90), Gillett, Mulders, R Smith, Nicholls, Cross, Hart, Dearlove. Subs (not used): M Smith, Cope, Burke, Knight.

Booked: Manton, Gillett, R Smith, Nicholls - all fouls

Man of the match: Molloy