JORDAN Cranston’s second-half penalty secured the local bragging rights for Redditch United following a 2-1 derby win at rivals Bromsgrove Sporting.
Reds captain Cranston played a starring role as he set up Musa Ceesay’s opener after just two minutes and then scored from the penalty spot on 75 minutes after Reece King drew Sporting level at the Victoria Ground.
The result means Redditch have now won their last five matches against the Rouslers and ensured Reds boss Tim Flowers exacted revenge on his former club after Sporting sacked the current United boss at the end of last season.
The Reds made a fast start as Ceesay attacked a ball in from the left at the back post only for Charlie Price to make a crucial save inside the first minute.
However, Redditch took the lead after just two minutes when Ceesay headed in from six-yards out after Sporting allowed Cranston’s corner from the right to bounce across the box.
Sporting almost responded immediately only for Shay Palmer to head the ball over the bar at the back post from close range.
The Reds went close to a second goal when Cranston delivered a free-kick from the left only for Ceesay to send a free header well wide of the target.
Goalscorer Ceesay escaped punishment shortly before half time when he appeared to delay the restart having already received a yellow card.
Sporting searched for an equaliser before the interval as King shot narrowly over the bar from 20-yards out.
And Redditch then substituted Ceesay before half time as the goalscorer pushed his luck following a couple of infringements after he had already received a final warning from the referee.
The Rouslers improved after the break as Jamie Meddows cut in on his left foot inside the box only for Adam Harrison to beat the forward’s effort to safety.
Sporting made their pressure count on 52 minutes when King forced the ball past Harrison from close range after the keeper kept out Charlie Wragg’s initial effort.
Bromsgrove continued to come forward following the equaliser as Luke Rowe sliced a shot wide before Harrison pushed Palmer’s powerful effort from distance behind for a corner.
However, a short backpass from Ethan Patterson allowed Jaiden White to nip in and take the ball past Price who brought the midfielder down in the box as the referee pointed to the spot.
Reds captain Cranston kept his cool from the penalty spot to send Price the wrong way, placing the ball into the top left corner from 12-yards out.
Redditch comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a fifth straight win against the Rouslers having completed league doubles over Sporting in each of the last two seasons.
