REECE Flanagan scored a stunning late winner as Redditch United came from behind to beat Mickleover 2-1 and extend their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.
Oliver Greaves’ first-half goal looked to have proved decisive only for Max Sheaf to equalise on 78 minutes and Flanagan to score a superb winner two minutes from time at the Trico Stadium.
The result means Redditch sit fourth in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Redditch were led out by students from Rigby Hall School – a local school for children with learning difficulties – to take on a Mickleover side unbeaten in their last six matches.
A minute’s silence was held for Remembrance Sunday and for the tragic passing of Mickleover player Fin Bowen.
The first real chance of the game came midway through the first half when Lewis Hudson’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected marginally wide of the post.
However, Mickleover took the lead with their first shot on target when Greaves latched onto a ball over the top of the Redditch defence and dinked an effort over Kieran Boucher who was caught off his line.
And the visitors almost doubled their lead with a header that went inches past the post before Danny King was denied by a great save at the other end as away goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge quickly closed down the angle.
Matt Clarke’s side were denied again moments later when Hedge saved well from Ryan Boothe’s powerful effort at the near post to tip the shot into the side netting.
And Hedge continued to foil Redditch in the second period when he raced off his line to gather the ball at the feet of King from Boothe’s flick-on.
The home side remained on top with Boothe the next man to be denied by Hedge after he was slipped in by Flanagan.
However, Redditch’s pressure finally told when Sheaf worked some space and arrowed a shot into the left corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty that left Hedge with no chance.
And Sheaf then went close with a free-kick 20-yards from goal as the midfielder curled an effort just wide of the target.
The home side snatched the points on 88 minutes when Flanagan smashed a stunning half volley past Hedge after the ball was cleared into the path of the midfielder on the edge of the box.
Redditch are next in action away at Chelmsford City on Saturday, November 19 in the FA Trophy with kick-off at 3pm at Melbourne Stadium.
