Redditch United 1 Bedworth United 1

IT'S not a natural comparison but Redditch are facing the same problems as another United these days...the one based 200-odd miles north at Old Trafford.

For like Manchester's footballing giants, teams that arrive at The Valley Stadium these days are treating the encounter like their very own cup final.

The runaway Dr Martens Western leaders extended their unbeaten run to 15 games on Saturday but dropped their first points since December 13 when Ilkeston also held them to a 1-1 draw.

And it left coach Gary Whild sending a warning to his players that life can be tough at the top after lowly Bedworth packed their midfield and defended like demons to earn their precious point.

"We've now set our standards very high but it's nothing we have to cope with," said Whild. "We have noticed during the last two or three games that teams are coming here and doing everything they possible can to make life difficult."

United, whose lead at the top was reduced from 12 to 10 points after second-placed Rugby won 2-0 at Clevedon, could rarely wrestle control of a scrappy affair.

And to add insult to injury, Bedworth took the lead on 55 minutes when James Wood chased a long ball out of defence and blasted the ball goalbound which Reds 'keeper Richard Antiss initially saved before being beaten by the follow-up.

It was a shock to the system for United, who were without hamstring-injury suffering strikers Scott Voice and Richard Leadbeater, but it took just 11 minutes for them to forge out an equaliser.

Substitute Craig Woodley picked out Matty Hall with a crossfield ball who found Richard Burgess at the near post who nodded home to save Reds' blushes.

Whild added: "When you win game after game, it can be a bit of a shock to the system when you realise you haven't taken all three points. But I've now had time to reflect on the result over the weekend."

"The last time we were held to a draw was against Ilkeston and we then went on a four/five-game winning run - so you have to remain positive.

"Bedworth have brought in one or two new players and made life very difficult for us. It was their cup final, if you like, and we need to be able to deal with this situation and treat it as a compliment to us."