Redditch United 1 St Neots Town 1

REDDITCH United have regularly been exponents of the beautiful game in building a promotion challenge but Saturday was all about the ‘ugly’ side of getting results.

A sodden surface, howling wind and driving rain meant it was a day when grit, determination and passion superceded the Reds’ style and panache.

Will Richards marshalled the backline superbly and midfielder George Carline showed his defensive security in dealing with St Neots’ punts forward.

Liam McDonald’s men seemed to have secured the points through a well-taken strike from Simeon Maye on his return from injury, only to concede nine minutes from time.

It still extended the Reds’ unbeaten run to nine Evo-Stik Southern Premier matches, but a third successive draw has slowed down their pursuit of leaders Poole.

It was a day when mistakes could easily scupper any side and inevitably there were few clear-cut chances.

Those that were created came the Reds’ way but St Neots keeper Andy Wilton rescued the visitors by tipping away an Ashley Sammons strike and Jamie Molyneux drilled a low shot inches wide.

But the breakthrough came on 52 minutes when Luke Shearer’s surging run scattered defenders and though Sammons’ shot was blocked the on rushing Maye tucked home the rebound with a precise low finish.

Though St Neots cranked up the pressure, notably through Brett Longden’s long throws, Redditch could have doubled the lead ten minutes from time when Troy Baker’s shot was blocked by Wilton.

It proved decisive. A minute later, Tom Meechan raced down the right and crossed for Lee Clarke, ghosting in unmarked, to head home the visitors’ equaliser from ten yards.

REDDITCH: Veiga 7; Cullinane-Liburd 7, Mutton 6, Richards 8, Flanagan 6; Molyneux 6 (Baker 60, 7), Maye 6, Carline 7, Shearer 6; Sammons 6; Dubidat 6 (Osborne 75).Subs: Young, Bridgwater, Moreton.