REDDITCH missed a golden chance to make big progress in the West Midlands Division One promotion race as they were beaten 1-0 at Shrewsbury, although the damage to their hopes was limited as four of their promotion rivals also failed to win.
Saturday’s Shropshire hosts, who sit ninth, won just their fifth league game of the campaign against a Kingfishers side who played well in spells but failed to create many clearcut chances.
Redditch handed another league debut to a youngster in the shape of James Browning, whilst keeper Joe Cardy produced another man of the match performance in the Redditch goal to keep the Kingfishers in contention.
However, small mistakes across the pitch proved costly and their determined defensive performance was foiled with less than five minutes remaining as Shrewsbury scored on the counter-attack.
Luckily for the Kingfishers, promotion rivals Market Drayton and Ludlow drew 2-2 against each other and Stourport 2nds and Bromsgrove were both defeated at the hands of Aldridge & Walsall and Stafford respectively.
Redditch sit fourth, level on points but with an inferior goal difference to Ludlow and Stourport 2nds who are second and third respectively. Leaders Market Drayton are three points clear.
Captain Adrian Young and his Redditch side have five games remaining, starting with the visit of Edgbaston 3rds on Saturday (1.30pm).
