REDDITCH United strengthened their grip on a play-off place with a comfortable 2-0 home win against struggling St Ives Town.
Second-half goals from Alex Cameron and Dexter Dudley-Toole saw the Reds return to winning ways at the Valley Stadium.
The result means Redditch sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point clear of the chasing pack in the race for a play-off spot.
St Ives made a bright start as Theo Alexandrou curled a shot wide before Aaron Bishop saw his goalbound effort blocked at the other end.
The visitors went close again soon after as Redditch goalkeeper Tyrese Warmington comfortably held a shot from 20-yards out.
In a half of few chances, Bishop dragged a low effort wide from distance while Warmington held Gibou Njie’s drive from range.
However, Redditch broke the deadlock on 49 minutes when Cameron finished from point-blank range after Ollie Taylor could only parry Joel Shambrook’s effort into the scorer’s path.
The Reds went in search of a second goal as Taylor pushed Matty Warburton’s whipped effort to safety after good footwork from Liam Loughlan.
And the home side doubled their lead on 61 minutes when Dudley-Toole rose highest to force the ball over the line after Luke Ward sent a hanging cross to the back post following a corner from the left.
United spurned a golden chance to seal the points when Bishop held the ball up well and played Cameron through only for Taylor to make the save in a one-on-one situation.
Defender Dudley-Toole also scored a second goal only to fire a half-volley straight at Taylor from 12-yards out.
The Reds remained on top as Taylor stuck out a leg to deny Tyler Bruck after the forward broke into the box down the left.
St Ives almost halved the deficit late on as Jernade Meade lashed a powerful effort against the crossbar from 25-yards out in injury time.
Redditch are next in action against Bury Town on Saturday, March 14 with kick-off at 3pm at Ram Meadow.
