UNITED were cruelly punished as the league leaders showed their class with a late show at the Valley.

Redditch showed their new grittier nature by digging in against their illustrious visitors and even having the impudence to take a shock lead after the break.

Star signing Lee Booth had a hardworking, if unspectacular debut, but it was old stager Brendan Hackett who stole the show by lashing home a low hard 30 yard effort in the 50th minute.

The goal stung the hosts into action but with Craig Chopper Harris putting in another hard-tackling display the Yeltz were frustrated.

Neil Olden was alert in the 64th minute to block impressively from Leroy May when the defence was breached.

But with hopes of an unlikely three points starting to rise, Lee Collins headed a brilliant equaliser, rising to a perfect, looping Jason Burnham cross on 72 minutes.

Within seconds Paul Danks was crowded out in the Halesowen box but May buried the Reds with another wonder goal nine minutes from time, coming in like a steam page to smash home another deep Burnham centre.

To rub salt in the wound, Reds old boy Matty Hall went on a trademark mazy run a minute from time and, after ghosting past three defenders, found Les Hines whose cross was converted by Andy Spencer.