ALEX Cameron’s first-half red card proved costly as Redditch Untied exited the FA Trophy at the third round stage following a 4-0 defeat at Radcliffe FC.
The Reds trailed by two goals just past the half-hour mark before Cameron saw red for an off the ball incident minutes before the break.
And Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders Radcliffe made the most of the man advantage to score two more goals in the second half and seal a comfortable win at Neuven Stadium.
Redditch made the worst possible start as Radcliffe took the lead on four minutes when Jamie Morgan tapped home from close range after Adam Harrison kept out Jordan Hulme’s initial effort.
The visitors went close to an equaliser later in the half as Recce Flanagan’s effort crashed against the right-hand post before Cameron fired the rebound over the bar from a tight angle.
And the Reds almost drew level moments later only for Cameron to see his shot saved when one-on-one with Radcliffe goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt.
However, the home side doubled their lead on 34 minutes as Morgan scored his second of the game with another close range finish at the second attempt.
And things went from bad to worse for Redditch just before half time when Cameron received a straight red card for an off the ball incident.
Matt Clarke’s side almost reduced the deficit in first-half injury time as Flanagan’s free-kick from 25-yards out skimmed the top of the net.
Radcliffe sealed their place in the next round on 84 minutes as Luca Navarro powered an effort into the bottom left corner from the edge of the penalty area.
And the home side completed the scoring three minutes later when Hulme squeezed a shot past Harrison at his near post on a night to forget for the Reds.
Redditch are next in action at home to AFC Sudbury on Saturday, December 16 with kick-off at 3pm at the Valley Stadium.
