BRAD Burton’s first-half goal helped Redditch United earn a point in a 1-1 draw with high-flying Halesowen Town.
Burton blasted home shortly before half time only for Miracle Okafor to equalise for the Yeltz in the second half at Valley Stadium.
The result means Redditch sit fifth in the Southern League Premier Central table, one point inside the play-off places.
Chances were at a premium in the first half until Burton broke the deadlock on 40 minutes with a venomous first time strike after Jak Hickman cleared the ball straight into the defender’s path.
The Reds almost doubled their lead after the break after some neat build-up play on the edge of the Halesowen box set up a chance for Reece Flanagan only for the midfielder to shoot over the bar.
And Matt Clarke’s side spurned another chance soon after as Alex Cameron latched on to a long ball only for his attempted lob to travel narrowly wide of the post with Daniel Platt way off his line.
However, Halesowen drew level on 75 minutes when Okafor found space in behind the Redditch defence before being forced wide by Adam Harrison only to squeeze a shot past a defender on the line at the near post.
And the Yeltz almost stole the points late on when Nathan Hayward fired inches wide of the left-hand post with Harrison at full stretch.
The Reds have now failed to win any of their last three matches in the league but will take heart from draws against promotion rivals Mickleover and Halesowen.
Redditch are next in action away at Leiston on Saturday, November 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Victory Road.
