Droylesden 2, Redditch United 1

Chances came and chances went but at the end of a miserable night in Manchester, Redditch found themselves slumped in the relegation places.

A win for relegation rivals Leigh RMI at basement club Hednesford Town was enough to plunge the Reds into the drop zone with five games left to dig themselves out.

What made matters worse for manager Gary Whild was the knowledge that his side had enough chances to have taken at least a point from the game.

Droylesden began well but the pick of the early chances fell to Redditch striker Rory May who latched on to a Danny Scheppel pass only to chip the ball tamely into the keeper's arms rather that lift it into the empty net.

Five minutes later and United were trailing. Robbie Talbot was adjudged to have been pushed over by Reds defender Vaughan Thomas and Terry Fearns made no mistake from the spot, sending keeper Richard Anstiss the wrong way.

Promotion-chasing Droylesden could have added to their tally on the half-hour when a curling free-kick from Gareth Morris looked to be heading for the top corner until Anstiss produced an outstanding fingertip save to claw it away.

The Reds keeper then made two brave saves at the feet of Fearns as the home side looked for a second before the visitors went close five minutes before the break, Simon Hollis firing over from 20 yards.

Another good Anstiss save five minutes into the second half denied Talbot and a minute later, Whild replaced midfielder Richard Field with Craig Wilding. The transformation was instant with the former Stafford Rangers frontman forcing a good save from Droylesden's John Worsnip.

Four minutes later and Reds were on level terms. Rory May found Hollis on the right of the area and the winger thundered his shot home off the underside of the crossbar.

The visitors looked to be in control and forced the home side onto the back foot for the next few minutes as Wilding and Carl Palmer dominated in midfield.

But hopes of claiming something from the game were shattered when Droylesden regained the lead on 66 minutes, Talbot turning his marker and firing past the unsighted Anstiss.

Redditch continued to push for a way back into the game and should have levelled for a second time 15 minutes from the end when Scheppel picked out substitute Richard Adams six yards from goal but he was denied by a fine reflex save from the Droylesden keeper.

Droylesden: Worsnip, Williams, WARNER, Sturdy, Burke, Morris, Ruffer, Rapley, Fearns (L Fitzpatrick 84), Talbot, Denham. Subs (not used): Cameron, Tandy, Hall, I Fitzpatrick.

Reds: ANSTISS 9, Jarrett 6, Reece 6 (Whitcombe 73), Thomas 7, Creighton 8, Field 6 (Wilding 51, 7), Hollis 7, Scheppel 6, May 6 (Adams 58, 6), Doyle 7, Palmer 8. Subs (not used): Bonnar, Barlome.

Referee: Mr J Collin (Liverpool)

Attendance: 279