THE agonising last-gasp loss to promotion rivals Bromyard has made Redditch's return to league action even more crucial.

The Kingfishers slipped to a late defeat after third placed Bromyard scored a late penalty to dent Redditch's top two hopes.

Mark Rose's men entertained Midland Four West South outfit Ledbury in a friendly at the weekend and return to North Midlands One action at Veseyans on Saturday (ko 2.15pm).

Redditch sit fifth in the table with twelve points, one place below Veseyans on points difference.

And with everybody else playing Christmas friendlies, the Kingfishers can go third on points difference by winning their game in hand.