REDDITCH UNITED 1 (0) Evesham United 0 (0)

CRAIG Gillett's return to Valley Stadium lasted just 60 minutes after the Evesham defender was sent off for two bookable offences.

His dismissal turned the game, as Redditch took advantage to secure their second home win of the season, and Evesham still looking for their first victory in nine attempts under former Reds boss Phil Mullen.

A non-descript first half failed to warm the crowd on a chilly November evening with neither side creating any worthy chances.

The greater impact was made by Gloucestershire referee Hawkes, who stamped his authority on this derby game with four bookings in the opening 27 minutes - two for each side.

These did not effect the game until the hour, by which time some neat football had been played.

Redditch went close on two occasions after the break, Jamie Hart firing wide from 18-yards, after only 40 seconds of the restart, and Mark Dearlove also driving wide from 20-yards four minutes later.

The game turned on its head when Gillett caught Hart in full flight after he collected a neat reverse pass from Paul Danks.

Referee Hawkes was left no option but to dismiss Gillett, following an earlier booking for dissent.

Until then, the game appeared to be heading for a draw, but the Reds took the lead five minutes later when Nicky Cross capitalised on Paul West's mis-kick to head the ball into Danks' path, for him to volley home his first for the club.

Evesham substitute Paul Preedy also saw red on 82 minutes, ater collecting two bookings in the space of 60 seconds, 10 minutes after coming of the bench. Redditch: Adey, Knight, Smith, Molloy, Manton, Mulders (Field 51), Williams, Dearlove, Cross, Hart (Sutton 78), Danks. Unused sub Cope

Bookings: Manton, Danks

Attendance: 282

Man of the match: Danks