HOCKEY: Redditch Ladies earned a 2-2 draw at Kings Heath in a match filled with incident and controversy.

The first half saw Redditch with much of the territorial advantage with Claire Steadman and Emma Manders making inroads down the right.

The visitors forced a number of corners and, from one of these, Jo Stafford nearly found the net.

Then, against the run of play, Kings scored a controversial goal when the defender kicked the ball over the line.

Angela Taylor had a shot that hit the inside of the post and somehow rebounded along the line while the hard-working Becky Southwell had an effort disallowed.

A determined Redditch made the perfect start to the second half, equalising within five minutes when a hard right wing cross by Claire Berrisford was deflected high into the net over the keeper's head by Taylor.

But the celebrations were cut short when the Birmingham side scored from a controversial penalty corner.

Redditch were convinced they had levelled the scores when a shot from the edge of the circle looked as if it had easily crossed the line but nothing was given.

With ten minutes to go Emma Preston struck a deserved equaliser and the final stages saw the visitors go close to snatching the win.

Worcester are the visitors to Bromsgrove Road on Saturday (3pm).