Bilston Town (0) 1

REDDITCH UNITED (0) 0

Redditch missed out on the opportunity to stake their claim as serious promotion candidates as they fell to Scott Voice's 13th goal of the season.

Rob Smith revamped the defence after Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat in the Birmingham Senior Cup at the hands of Sutton Coldfield.

He brought back the on loan Pete Barry and Steve Farmer into the heart of the defence, Mark Smith was recalled at left back and new signing Paul Moore made his debut at right back.

Redditch survived an early scare when Mark Clifton was gifted an opportunity after just 50 seconds when Richard Field headed the ball into his path defending a free-kick, but he contrived to let the visitors off the hook blasting his effort over the bar from three yards out.

Bilston dominated the early exchanges but were caught on 11 minutes. A needless handball on the edge of the box resulted in a free kick which was quickly taken by Micky Moore to release strike partner Nicky Cross with just the keeper to beat, but his effort was deflected away by the on-rushing Paul Hayward.

Goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between but Bilston's Lee Hughes should have sent his side in leading at the break.

The live-wire Danny Williams found his team-mate at the far post with a telling cross, but after being given space to control the ball Hughes disappointingly fired wide.

Redditch started strongly in the second half looking to break the deadlock and went close on 54 minutes when Micky Moore was picked out at the far post, but his goal-bound volley was blocked by Hayward.

The home side responded by taking the lead on the hour. A long ball out of defence found Leon Jackson in an offside position but he was allowed to carry the ball to the by-line where Gavin Stone crossed for Voice to head home from six yards.

Redditch stepped up a gear as they chased the game but failed to test Hayward again despite having large amounts of possession.

In fact, his opposite number Dave Adey was the busier as he kept his side in the match with crucial stops from Danny Williams, Voice and Hughes.

Voice had the opportunity to seal the points with 10 minutes left when Bilston were awarded a penalty after Barry was harshly judged to have brought down Williams, but the former Wolves player struck it well wide.

Redditch: Adey, P Moore, Smith (Williams 46), Barry, Manton (Hart 79), Farmer, Field, Nicholls, Cross (Danks 66), M Moore, Love.

Attendance: 135

Man of the match: Field.