STUART Fleetwood pounced on a defensive slip to ensure Redditch United ended a three-match losing streak with a 1-0 win over Royston Town.

The former Hereford United frontrunner seized upon Adam Murray’s heavy touch after Nathan Fox had fired in a low cross from the left eight minutes after half-time.

It was the only goal of a fast-paced match that saw both teams lack control in the final third.

Royston overran the Reds during the opening exchanges with wide man Josh Castiglione influential and Murray going close.

Tristian Dunkley twice flashed across goal for United in response, the first being parried wide by Josh Tibbetts.

Joe Hankins was thwarted at the near post by Redditch stopper Ethan Ross half an hour in before Gowan Stares headed over from point-blank range on the stroke of half-time at the other end.

After Fleetwood’s goal, Royston enjoyed most of the pressure but rarely troubled Ross other than when Sam Gaughran’s cushioned effort back across goal from a set-piece had to be cleared off the line by Tom Fishwick 65 minutes in.

The result marked Redditch’s fifth win in 18 games under manager Tim Harris, who took over from the sacked Darren Byfield in December.

Reds: Ross, Wright, Fox, Fishwick, Ezewele, Mutton, Dunkley, Stares, Fleetwood, Morrell (Gibson, 82), Page. Unused subs; Belmonte, Hussain, Platt, Weir.

Attendance: 156.