REDDITCH United will be aiming to spring a big shock when they host local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting at the Trico Stadium on Saturday.
The improved Reds came close to building on their win over Nuneaton Borough, only for visitors Hednesford Town to sink them 1-0 last weekend through an 86th-minute goal from Rhys Thompson.
The task now for Duane Darby’s side will be to raise their game further against a Sporting side on course for at least a Southern Premier Central play-off spot this season.
United were heading for a second successive match without defeat last time out, only for Elliot Hodge’s pass to find Thompson who fired past Ryan Pratt into the bottom right corner.
It was a bitter pill for the bottom-placed Reds to swallow having moments earlier seen striker Romario Martin find himself one-on-one with Pitmen stopper Andrew Wycherley, but the Town keeper won the battle of wits to deny United a late opener.
Clearcut chances were at a premium for both sides throughout but Redditch – for whom youngster Pratt was impressive in deputising for the injured Kieran Boucher – can take heart as they look to finish the campaign in improved form.
