LIAM Loughlan’s goal earned Redditch United the derby day bragging rights with a 1-0 victory against Alvechurch.
Loughlan scored the game’s only goal on 42 minutes at Lye Meadow as the Reds stretched their winning run to five matches in all competitions.
The result means Redditch sit fourth in the Southern League Premier Central table with Alvechurch down in 17th just two points above the relegation zone.
Church survived a scare early on when goalkeeper Redman Evans saw his attempted clearance ricochet off Alex Cameron and trickle past the post.
And Evans then reacted sharply to tip Cameron’s powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.
At the other end, Tyrese Warmington just about managed to keep out Callum Sullivan’s corner before Redditch cleared the ball to safety.
The Reds twice went close soon after as Danny King curled a shot narrowly over the bar while Matty Warburton’s saw his free-kick dip inches over the top.
However, United eventually broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when King slipped in Loughlan down the left-hand side of the penalty area and the midfielder poked a shot past the onrushing Evans.
Church looked to respond after the break as Jonathan Ngandu forced Warmington into a save low down to his right.
And the home side spurned a golden chance to draw level soon after as Warmington showed quick reflexes to keep out Jez Abbey’s effort from six-yards out.
Warmington came to Redditch’s rescue again later in the half as he acrobatically tipped Abbey’s first time shot over the bar.
The Reds somehow failed to double their lead at the other end as Loughlan’s drilled ball across the face of goal from the left went through the legs of teammate Aaron Bishop who had the goal at his mercy.
King then headed against the top of the crossbar before a flashpoint arose in the technical area at the death after Church assistant boss Mark Yates clashed with Redditch’s Tyler Bruck.
