Redditch United 1

Sutton Coldfield Town 1

SUPER sub Lee Ross played Reds' get-out-of-jail card last night as he salvaged a potentially crucial league point.

The roaring Reds were in danger of losing their first league match in five outings when another special sub, Emerca Ejiofor, gave the visitors a 57th-minute lead after being on the pitch for less than 60 seconds.

But Ross gave the Reds a lifeline with five minutes left on the clock in what turned out to be a rip-roaring end to this top-of-the-league encounter.

Ross was just inches away from heading a dramatic winner moments later and then visiting keeper Justin Bray made a double save two minutes into injury time to first deny Richard Leadbeater and then James Quiggan.

Redditch had caused some of the early danger when the visitors' Exodus Geohaehan skied his clearance and striker Leadbeater nearly capitalised as he hit a thunderous turn on the volley.

Moments later, Sutton replied with a volley of their own as Deon Perrow was given too much room to blast a shot over the bar.

As the half wore on, it was United who looked the more useful going forward as they continued to threaten down Sutton's flanks with Matty Hall dispatching a smashing, swirling effort which narrowly skimmed away from goal.

The game continued to be played with purpose and Reds keeper Richard Anstiss was forced to make a superb one-handed save to deny full-back Terry Carpenter by tipping his effort onto the bar 14 minutes before the break.

The second half started at the same pace but it was the visitors who took the lead through Ejiofor. The gangly midfielder turned his man and fired home from close range with his first touch of the ball.

Sutton had already rung the warning bell two minutes earlier when Marvin Blake unleashed a sweet, curling volley that flew just inches wide.

But Reds' determination never wavered and they grabbed what could turn out to be a crucial equaliser in the championship campaign.

With the clock ticking, Ross was played clean through by an exquisite Alex Cowley and the burly striker buried the ball with aplomb past onrushing keeper Bray.

But it was only the heroics of Bray who denied United all three points when he made his amazing double save.

Alvechurch lost their Birmingham Senior Cup tie at Conference outfit Burton Albion 8-0 last night. Robbie Talbot grabbed six, with Gary Crosby and Lee Colkin completing the rout.