REDDITCH United dropped into the Southern League Premier Central relegation zone after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at AFC Rushden & Diamonds this past weekend.
Nathan Tshikuna scored the game’s only goal after 16 minutes to extend Redditch’s winless run in the league to 10 matches.
The result means United are now 20th in the table – one point ahead of bottom side Hitchin Town – although they do have games in-hand on the teams above them.
The home side had the first chance of the game when Rushden skipper Alex Collard headed the ball across goal and inches past the post.
And the Diamonds took the lead soon after on 16 minutes when Tshikuna scored a spectacular opener hooking the ball over his shoulder and into the left corner of the goal from eight-yards out.
Redditch struggled to create a clear-cut opening in the first-half with home goalkeeper Dean Snedker easily saving from Kieran Day before Ryan Wollacott headed wide from a corner.
The hosts almost doubled their lead at the beginning of the second period when Ty Deacon tried his luck with an ambitious lob from 35-yards out with his effort bouncing just wide of the left post with Reds keeper Kieran Boucher scrambling.
Matt Clarke’s side had a chance to pull level with eight minutes left to play when Wollacott’s header was blocked from Jack Byrne’s cross.
The Diamonds could have secured the points late on when William Jones fired over when one-on-one with Boucher but Redditch failed to create a meaningful chance in the second-half as they suffered yet another defeat.
Redditch return to action against Rushall Olympic on Saturday, November 27 with kick-off at 3pm at the Trico Stadium.
