UNITED number two Gary Whild has acknowledged Gloucester City and Weston are the biggest stumbling blocks keeping resurgent Redditch from a top two finish.

In the past fortnight, Whild and manager Rod Brown have admitted the Valley Stadium side's new-found consistency has come too late to spark an end-of-season promotion charge.

But with second placed Bromsgrove again stumbling to defeat - this time 2-0 at Gresley, the gap between sixth placed Redditch and promotion has narrowed to just nine points with Brown's men due to visit the Victoria Ground on April 21.

Wolves and Albion fans will be quick to note the points target has shrunk from a massive 14 points in recent weeks but the jokers in the pack are the two sides with games in hand on the county rivals.

If Gloucester and Weston continue their strong form they can push the top two out of United's reach and Brown acknowledged it was too late this season.

Brown confirmed he is still hoping to bring in a striker before the end of the season, depending on developments at his current Premier Division side, but that was likely to be his final signing until the close season.

United entertain Sutton Coldfield Town at home on Saturday (ko 3pm).