OMARI Brown’s late own goal saw Redditch United slip to a narrow 1-0 defeat away at in-form Stratford Town.
Substitute Brown inadvertently headed a corner into his own net with nine minutes left to play at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The result means Redditch sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, outside of the play-off places on goal difference.
Stratford created the game’s first chance as Dan Lafferty raced onto a flick-on only to shoot tamely straight at Tyrese Warmington from the edge of the penalty area.
The Reds went close soon after when Tyler Bruck superbly controlled Harrison Mole’s pass only to see his shot saved by Jake Weaver.
The ball deflected into the path of Alex Cameron who also saw his goalbound shot bravely blocked by Kory Roberts who threw his body in the path of the strike.
Stratford felt Matty Warburton should have received a second yellow card before the break after he made a late challenge on a home player.
However, the referee only awarded the Bards a free-kick and booked Owen James for his protestations.
The Reds looked to break early in the second half as Liam Loughlan burst into the box only for Fin Brennan to produce an inch-perfect challenge in the box.
However, the Bards broke the deadlock on 81 minutes when Brown could only head Brennan’s corner from the right into his own net inside his own six-yard box.
The home side almost sealed the points moments later as Tyrese Warmington superbly diverted Max Lott’s close-range effort onto the post with his foot.
Redditch are next in action against Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, January 17 with kick-off at 3pm at the Valley Stadium.
