Halesowen Town 2 Redditch United 1

DESPITE a spirited second half fightback, United lost 2-1 to Western Division newcomers Halesowen Town but the match was overshadowed by two extraordinary decisions from referee John Bottomer.

The official, from Chislehurst, Kent, outraged the visiting fans by failing to send off Town's veteran keeper Tim Clarke in the 51st minute.

The Shrewsbury and Kidderminster Harriers custodian, who played for League of Wales side Barry in their 8-0 Champions League defeat to Porto earlier in the season, came out of his area to block a Neil Beagan effort with his hands but got away with a booking from the official.

To underline the importance of the decision, Reds midfielder Mark Swann crashed in an unstoppable 25 yard effort on the run seven minutes later and left United fans wondering what might have been.

And four minutes from time Mr Bottomer refused to dismiss Halesowen's St Kitts international Michael Crawford for a challenge Frank Spencer could not have claimed was accidental.

Crawford was penalised for catching Beagan in the face with an elbow, and as Mr Bottomer approached Mark Swann delivered a verbal volley before being headbutted two yards in front of the official.

Both players were booked as the game descended into an ill-tempered finale.

The hosts fully deserved their two goal lead at the break against a lacklustre Reds side under the charge of assistant manager Gary Hackett.

Les Hines floated in a straightforward free kick in the fourth minute for Reds old boy Neil Smith to climb and head over an exposed Harvey Willetts in the Redditch goal.

An Andy Spencer snapshot ten minutes later crashed off the underside of the crossbar before being hacked clear.

Chances were few in a drab opening half but Town doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Leroy May thundered into the area to power home a header from a Hines corner.

United pressed forward after the break with the impressive Swann cutting the deficit and Paul Danks' persistence in the 67th minute earning him the chance to sting Clarke's palms.

Spencer could have settled matters 16 minutes from time but shot high and wide off balance and Town hung on as Redditch failed to turn pressure into chances late on.