LIAM Loughlan’s first Redditch United goal earned Mike Fowler’s side the derby day bragging rights in a 1-0 win against rivals Alvechurch.
Loughlan broke the deadlock early in the second half at the Valley Stadium as the Reds recorded a third straight league victory.
And the visitors finished the game with 10-men after Birmingham City loanee Harley Hamilton saw red shortly after Loughlan’s strike.
Defeat for Alvechurch saw Tim Flowers’ side lose for the third game in a row as Church drop behind the Reds in the Southern League Premier Central table.
The Reds applied some early pressure as Redman Evans held Dexter Dudley-Toole’s header from six-yards out.
Church spurned a golden chance to break the deadlock at the other end when Frank Tattum went through one-on-one only to shoot wide from just inside the penalty area.
The visitors then almost caught Tyrese Warmington off his line after Tope Obadeyi controlled the goalkeeper’s misplaced pass only to send a lob over the crossbar from distance.
United went close after the break as Evans pushed Loughlan’s swirling effort from 25-yards out behind for a corner.
And Redditch took the lead from the resulting set-piece on 51 minutes when a corner broke to Loughlan in the box and the midfielder placed a first time effort into the top left corner.
Tempers boiled over four minutes later as Alvechurch debutant Hamilton received a second yellow card following a strong challenge on United midfielder Morgan Owen.
Redditch boss Mike Fowler also saw red for his reaction to another challenge by Krystian Pearce minutes later after he caught Reece Flanagan in the back of the head.
The Reds controlled the game thereafter as Loughlan forced Evans into a fingertip save late on with another powerful effort.
And Evans then denied teenager Billy Fielding as the Church stopper turned a deflected shot behind for a corner.
Church struggled to create a clear-cut opening in the remaining minutes as the Reds claimed the derby day spoils.
