Redditch Utd 1

Stalybridge Celtic 4

WRETCHED defending proved Redditch's nemesis once again as they crashed to defeat at home to their Tameside visitors.

Just seven days earlier Rod Brown's outfit had swept aside fellow strugglers Hyde but hopes of recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season were forgotten as Stalybridge cruised into a 3-1 half-time lead.

Just one club - Moor Green - has shipped more goals in Nationwide North this season and the manager is at a loss over how to stem the flow.

"I cannot put my finger on the reason," Brown admitted. "What disappoints me is that you have four defenders at the back who haven't taken any responsibility.

"It was an unacceptable first 45 minutes - the second 45 was better but the damage was done by then.

"You cannot defend like that. We haven't got anything out of this game because the basics, which we teach at this club, have not been done in the first 45.

"In terms of possession I thought we did ok in the first half but as soon as we lost the ball they looked like they would score and that has been the problem all season."

The problem was evident when Stalybridge opened the scoring on 11 minutes. Jody Banim threaded a pass through the static United defence and Steve Garvey ghosted in to round keeper Lewis Solly and score.

To be fair to Reds, their response could not have been better. Within 60 seconds Jermaine Clarke had whipped in a cross from the left and Scott Rickards drove home from the edge of the area, his shot going in off the post.

But this was a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing first half.

Leading scorer Lee Ellington had a chance to restore Stalybridge's lead on 14 minutes but although he beat the offside trap, Solly was quick out of his area to mop up the danger.

The danger signs were there for all to see but the United defence were again found wanting three minutes later when star man Tom Baker's right wing cross was not dealt with by the defence and Ellington gratefully headed home from six yards.

The visitors, without a win on their travels all season, had a penalty appeal turned down when Banim was shoved to the floor by Dennis Pearce and the striker then forced Solly into action with a 20-yard free-kick that had to be turned over the crossbar.

Banim and Ellington were a constant threat to the Reds' defence and it came as little surprise when the former pounced on a mistake by United skipper Mark Taylor to stride through and score his side's third.

Celtic keeper Paul Pettinger had seen little action during a one-sided half but he produced the save of the game just before the break to keep out a point-blank Simon Hollis header.

Had that effort found the net then Reds could have started the second period with renewed confidence.

As it was, Craig Wilding's header high and wide of the target midway through the half summed up a dismal afternoon for the home fans and a well-struck 20-yard drive from substitute Phil Eastwood compounded the misery four minutes from time.