Moor Green 2 Redditch United 1

IT HAS been a blue Christmas for the Reds with nothing to show from their festive fixtures.

Caretaker manager Gary Whild must have been delighted by the battling qualities shown by his players but it is points that are needed as United continue their slump towards the relegation places.

The Valley Stadium boss had been hoping for a better return from back-to-back games with Moor Green but the Reds were left with nothing despite often outplaying their opponents.

At Damson Park on Monday, central pair Mark Creighton and Scott Dann had looked to have built a solid partnership at the back but United still managed to throw away the lead as the Moors capitalised on two defensive errors to take the points.

It was the home side who threatened first when, after just five minutes, Gary McPhee darted in behind the defence only to see his shot turned around the foot of the post by Redditch keeper Nathan Vaughan.

McPhee then sent another header soaring over the bar when he should have done better from six yards.

Thankfully for the travelling United fans, Redditch were not so profligate, scoring with their only effort of the half.

With 12 minutes on the click, Simon Hollis floated a free-kick into the area and Daire Doyle, playing against his former club, powered a header beyond Moors keeper Jimmy Coates.

David Bridgwater and Chris Nurse were denied by Vaughan saves later in the half before the latter rattled the upright.

The second period was more even, Sean Flynn and Doyle having half chances for the visitors while Moors substitute Peter Faulds drilled a shot straight at Vaughan.

For all their efforts, there seemed no way through for the home side until they were gifted a goal on 67 minutes, Dann heading the ball beyond his advancing keeper for McPhee to slot into the unguarded net.

The winner came five minutes from time when substitute James Francis, son of former Blues favourite Trevor, forced the ball over the line after the Reds' defence had failed to deal with a Phil Trainer corner.

The introduction of Michael McGrath ten minutes from time had lifted the visitors but it was the tireless Craig Wilding who went close to salvaging a point in injury time, latching on to a Dennis Pearce free-kick only for Coates to produce a stunning save from his fierce volley.

The Boxing Day clash between the sides at the Valley Stadium also went the way of Moor Green, a Flynn own goal separating the sides.

Reds (v Moor Green on Boxing Day): Vaughan 6, Flynn 6, Pearce 6, Dann 6, Taylor 6 (King 55, 6), Doyle 5, Hollis 5, Broad 6, HWILDING 8, Moore 6 (McGrath 72), Field 7. Subs (not used): Cornelius, Palmer, Softley.

Reds (v Moor Green on Jan 2): Vaughan 6, Flynn 6, Pearce 8, Creighton 7, Dann 7, Field 6, Hollis 6, King 6 (Taylor 71), HWILDING 8, Doyle 7, Whitcombe 6. Subs (not used): Moore, Scheppel, Cornelius.