Redditch United 3 Studley BKL 3

The clenched fist salute said it all as Nicky Cross, inevitably, marked his return to the Valley Stadium with a goal.

Six minutes from time the former Reds player-manager, who had come off the bench 22 minutes earlier, spun on the edge of the area and curled a delightful equaliser past Chris Scott, raising a cheer from the smattering of United fans present.

But it was the recently out-of-sorts Lee Booth who won the battle of the strikers with the former Stourport goal machine outscoring the ghost of Redditch past with a fine hat-trick.

Rob Powell put the Midland Alliance visitors ahead with a powerful low drive 35 minutes into an open first half, lit up by a skilful display from BKL player-coach Trevor Whittington.

But Booth finally broke his United duck four minutes after the restart when Kenny Fergie left sub Craig Gillett stranded in the area and allowed Booth to nip in and lash one past the unprotected Duncan Turk.

A minute later and United were in front and enjoying themselves as Booth stole in to head a looping effort over Turk after more slapstick Studley defending.

Lea Shaw gave Booth his hat-trick on a plate in the 55th minute, delivering a peach of a free kick for the forward to head powerfully home at the far post after Simon Redhead had felled the lively Kevin Jones.

But the visitors refused to die and another prominent former Red, Ian Mitchell, ran onto Cross' pass to score 13 minutes from time.

And Mitchell could have claimed a second moments later with a searing effort from 30 yards before 'the legend' had the final say.

Studley could have stolen it late on when Kevin Rowlands was dumped in the area by a clumsy challenge from Scott but the penalty was not given.

Rod Brown was absent at the Stourport - Evesham game, presumably complete with fake beard and glasses, so assistant Gary Whild was in charge for an entertaining encounter.

Flu-hit defender Nigel Niblett made a welcome return for United but Paul Danks was missing with a back injury picked up at Weston.