Redditch United (0) 1

Bromsgrove Rovers (1) 1

Dr Martens League Western Division

TEN-MAN Rovers snatched a vital point from the Valley Stadium in an action-packed derby on Monday.

And the Greens' performance bodes well for tomorrow's crunch game at home to basement boys Paget Rangers (ko 7.45pm).

Down to ten men with 25 minutes remaining, Steve Daniels' new-look side showed all the battling qualities needed to avoid the drop.

But Rovers need to start winning games, beginning with Paget, and hope improving Cinderford Town and Sutton Coldfield Town slip up somewhere along the way.

The writing seemed to be on the wall for Bromsgrove when managerless Redditch equalised on 69 minutes through Ian Bennett, just four minutes after Grant Beckett had been sent off for his second yellow card.

DETERMINED

But Bromsgrove deserved their point for a determined team showing which boasted excellent performances all over the pitch.

Costas Xiourouppa opened the scoring for the fresh-faced Greens in first half injury time with a cool finish off Lee Hughes's delightful through-ball.

The opening goal should have come seven minutes into the match when Kevin Banner blasted Harvey Willett's attempted clearance high over the crossbar.

Bennett had a long range effort pushed round the post by Rovers 'keeper Elliott Morris just moments later. Then Reddditch stand-in boss Nicky Cross watched his header glance just wide from Ian Mitchell's cross.

Rovers stood firm under the Reds' pressure and took the lead when Hughes muscled past two Redditch players and threaded the ball through to Xiourouppa, who kept his composure to beat Willetts.

And it was Willetts who was the busier of the two 'keepers after the interval. He could only watch and hope as Banner spurned two good chances in the opening exchanges of the second half.

DISASTER

Just when it looked like Bromsgrove might build on their lead, disaster struck.

Beckett received his marching orders for his second booking and then Willetts saved at the feet of Xiourouppa. Redditch immediately went down the other end and drew level. Matt Hall's right wing run and centre found Bennett at the near post and he stabbed the ball home from close range.

The goal had been coming and Redditch sniffed three points there for the taking.

Bizarrely, the goal and Beckett's dismissal added extra impetus into the away side.

Luke Yates, on as a second half sub for the injured Mark Creichton, began to run the show, aided by the impressive Dean Ball and David Bridgewater.

Rovers could have snatched a surprise lead on 77 minutes but Willetts was equal to strikes from Banner and then Ball.

Nigel Niblett's header glanced agonisingly past the post for the Reds after 86 minutes but the winner never came.

As much as it hurt the Redditch fans, Rovers were well worthy of a point.

Rovers: Morris, Watson, Hughes, Townsend, S Frost, Creichton (sub Yates 50), Bridgewater, Ball, Xiourouppa (sub Sumnall 75), Banner, Beckett.

Rovers man of the match: Dean Ball.

Attendance: 401

Report by CHRIS VAUGHAN.

l For a full match report from Rovers' game with Evesham United, turn to Sport Two.