A DEBUT goal from Jenson Sumnall helped Redditch United earn a come-from-behind 2-1 win against play-off rivals Needham Market.
Young defender Sumnall came off the bench to draw the Reds level after Myles Cowling put the visitors ahead shortly before half time at the Valley Stadium.
And Aaron Bishop completed the turnaround as United secured a fifth successive home win in all competitions.
The result means Redditch sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point outside of the play-off places.
Redditch paid tribute to former player Tom Rankin before kick-off by wearing white t-shirts and holding a minute’s applause in his memory.
Former Reds captain Rankin died four years ago and the club marked the anniversary of his death with a number of tributes.
Once play began, Bishop saw his effort from just outside the penalty area saved by Needham goalkeeper James Bradbrook.
And Bradbrook then had to tip Joel Shambrook’s wayward cross from the left to safety with the ball creeping under the crossbar.
However, Needham broke the deadlock on 41 minutes as Cowling finished Joe Neal’s low ball in from the right following a blistering counter attack.
Reds boss Mike Fowler introduced recent signing Sumnall from the bench ahead of the start of the second period.
And the defender marked his debut with a goal on 61 minutes as he rose highest to nod Danny King’s floated cross from the left back across goal and into the bottom left corner.
The Reds turned the game on its head on 71 minutes when Bishop headed Liam Loughlan’s cross from the right into the bottom left corner from six-yards out.
United almost added a third goal as Jack Loughran curled a shot inches over the crossbar from Loughlan’s short free-kick.
Needham spurned a late chance to equalise as Cowling helped the ball into the path of Seth Chambers who could only lift a shot over the bar from close range.
Redditch are next in action against Royston Town on Saturday, March 28 with kick-off at 3pm at Garden Walk.
