Gresley Rovers 2

Redditch United 3

REDDITCH United boss Rod Brown was full of praise for his players after a polished performance - topped by a cracking Richard Burgess strike - saw off Gresley Rovers on Saturday.

The Reds remained two points clear at the top of the Dr Martens Western Division after surviving a late scare by Rovers who scored twice late on.

Brown's men survived some early exuberance from the home side who piled on the pressure before red-hot striker Burgess, still clearly buoyed by his four goals against Cirencester in the FA Trophy, drilled home into the top corner after latching onto Matt Smith's headed clearance.

Redditch hit top gear eight minutes later when substitute Richard Softley picked up an excellent through ball from ex-Hereford United man Robbie Sawyers to fire home with a low shot from 12 yards.

There was more joy from United's front men when this time Richard Leadbeater met Nicky Clark's cross with a bullet header on 52 minutes.

In Brown's words, United played the home side "off the park" but Rovers were then handed a "dubious penalty" when referee Leslie Sinclaire deemed new man Gary Sucharewycz fouled another debutante, Carl Francis, inside the penalty area. Steve Lenagh fired home the spot kick and Francis grabbed an unlikely second for his side when he tucked the ball home.

Afterwards, Brown said: "It was a comfortable win for us, we were on top and produced a good performance.

"It was a bit tight for the first 10 minutes for us and they should never have got that penalty.

"We missed chances that we should have put away in the second half but overall deserved the three points. Gresley are a tough side and, for me, will finish in the top seven this season - so a lot of teams will go there and find it very tough."