REDDITCH United came within a whisker of ending the season in style with victory at high-flying Slough Town, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw as Liam Enver-Marum’s stoppage time penalty rescued a share of the spoils for the hosts.
Darren Byfield’s Reds, who finished 17th in the Southern League Premier Division, led when Aston Villa loanee Jack Coates headed home from Arjun Jung’s superb chipped pass.
The visitors’ advantage looked set to be shortlived as Slough were awarded a penalty just two minutes later when Chris Flood was felled by Jordan Brown, but United keeper Brad Catlow saved Flood’s spot-kick.
Redditch, for whom Kaylum Mitchell went close in the first half, were on the verge of a fine victory, only for Coates to bring down Lewis Putnam in the third minute of stoppage time and Enver-Marum fired Slough’s second penalty past Catlow.
Slough’s promotion bid was ended on Wednesday by Leamington who triumphed 1-0 in the play-off semi-final at the New Windmill.
A BIG weekend awaits Redditch United Ladies who face Solihull United in the West Midlands Regional League Cup final.
Gary Barrell’s Division One South runners-up will aim to cap a fine season by winning silverware in Sunday’s (1pm) final at Stone Dominoes in Staffordshire.
