REDDITCH United extended their lead at the top of Southern League Premier Division Central to four points with a 2-0 win at Long Eaton United.

Second-half goals from Alex Cameron and Reece Flanagan secured the victory for Matt Clarke's Reds against the bottom-of-the-table outfit.

Second-placed Needham Market boast four games in hand but Redditch have only lost once in 10 games in all competitions.

Manager Clarke admitted: "We were really poor in the first half and Long Eaton were better without really creating any chances. We played like we were a tired team.

"We made a change at half-time and were really comfortable in the second half. We were a lot better without being brilliant. In the end we got the job done.

"I was really pleased with the reaction in the second half. We'll take three clean sheets and three wins on the bounce (in the league)."

Before the game a minute's applause was held in memory of Southern League chairman Anthony Hughes who has died.

The Reds went close when AJ George and Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton combined for the latter to be well denied by advancing keeper Ross Durrant.

Away keeper Adam Harrison punched away a dangerous inswinging corner from Jack Rogers before Long Eaton forward Andy Kanga was played in with time and space but fired high and wide.

In the second period ex-Alvechurch forward Skeen-Hamilton put a low drive wide from distance and Long Eaton also had an effort off target.

But Redditch went ahead on 68 minutes with a smart overhead kick from close range by Cameron after Flanagan's corner was headed on.

Captain Flanagan took aim from outside the box but was denied a second for the Reds by a diving save.

Redditch were awarded a penalty for a foul on Skeen-Hamilton by Callum Cocks and Flanagan slammed home the spot-kick in injury-time.

Redditch are next in action at home to in-form St Ives Town on Saturday at the Valley Stadium (3pm).

Clarke added: "They have got a very experienced manager (Ricky Marheineke) who is really good. When we played them earlier in the season they were miles off it and we won at their place.

"They beat Mickleover 5-0 away and beat Needham (3-2) so they will want the hat-trick against the top three.

"But we're on a really good run and our home form is excellent."