A SHOCKING defensive performance left Redditch 4-0 down and defeated after half an hour at muddy Cinderford.

But United should have been spared after a bank of fog, which descended at kick-off, thickened making the second half a farce.

The odd muffled thwack and yelled expletive were the only signs of a game to spectators who could see no more than 30 yards into the gloom.

Redditch appealed for a penalty and apparently Mark Swann grabbed a consolation nine minutes from time but manager Rod Brown had already returned to the changing rooms in disgust.

The visitors were unlucky to concede the third minute opener which stopped in the mud to leave keeper Neil Olden stranded as Daryl Addis profited.

United responded with a Richard Field header and Swann shot but Leigh Hall stole the simplest of goals after the Reds defence disintegrated to allow Raith Plant to stride forward and beat Olden after 19 minutes.

A Nigel Niblett header was saved but the hosts made it three in the 31st minute when Plant again ghosted through to rifle one home.

And after Scot Colcombe missed a golden opportunity for Redditch, Addis completed the rout with a close range effort in first half injury time.

And then the fog descended.