Redditch United suffered a narrow defeat to league leaders Real Bedford away at the Ledger Stadium. Tyler Bruck opened the scoring within 30 seconds after a stunning strike, before goals from Josh Allen and Jordan Ponticelli would seal victory for the hosts.
There was one change to the lineup from the victory over Malvern, as Jeval Thompson-McKenzie replaced Harrison Hazard up front.
Straight from kick-off, Redditch won the ball back from the hosts instantly. The ball fell for Tyler Bruck who thundered in a volley into the top corner to put the Reds ahead within 30 seconds.
In the 14th minute, Joel Shambrook released Szhem Whyte-Hall in behind, but his pass across goal fell to the hands of Craig King in the Pirates goal.
Robbie Bunn dribbled his way into the box, before crossing to Bruck, who almost made it two when his shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.
Rory Brown was then called into action for the first time, as he pulled off a superb save to deny Ben Stevens.
But a minute later, Josh Allen found space down the right, cut inside and slotted in an equaliser through the legs of Rory Brown.
It was a quiet start to the second half, with Real Bedford having the majority of the ball and Rory Brown was called into action once again as he denied Drew Richardson from distance.
There were a handful of substitutions as Harrison Hazard and Kynan Murchison came on and sparked more energy into the team. However, the hosts would find themselves ahead after pinball inside the box, and Jordan Ponticelli was there to poke home a second.
The goalscorer could have had a second in the space of two minutes when he skied an effort from point-blank range.
Late on, Omari Brown did well to get forward and cross for Whyte-Hall, but he couldn’t quite get the right connection on the ball and scuffed the shot.
The referee blew for full-time to round off what was a narrow defeat for the Reds, but one in which they gave their all.
Redditch United XI: R. Brown; Fielding, Shambrook, Foreshaw, Owen, King; Willow, Bunn (C); Whyte-Hall, Bruck, Thompson-McKenzie.
Subs: Hazard (53’), Johnson, O. Brown (79’), Knowles, Murchison (69’).
