Redditch United 3, Worcester City 1 (aet)

RESOLUTE Reds recovered to book a mouth-watering Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final contest with Kidderminster Harriers after wearing down higher ranked rivals Worcester City at the Valley Stadium on Tuesday night.

Although Reds required a period of extra time to complete the job, they proved full value for victory.

That was after gifting City the opening goal on 36 minutes following an untimely error from goalkeeper James Wren.

It followed a fabulous point-blank save from Wren to keep out City's Danny Edwards on 28 minutes.

But Wren was at fault eight minutes later when he allowed a harmless looking free kick from Greg Mills to slip from his grasp and the alert Michael Taylor was on hand to capitalise by prodding the ball over the line.

The Reds faithful could be forgiven for thinking it wasn't going to be their night.

Jack Cresswell had already seen a 24th minute goal ruled out for offside.

Then the impressive Mark Hands put Cresswell in the clear on 54 minutes, but the striker shot straight at City goalkeeper Matt Sargeant with the goal at his mercy.

Cresswell made amends on 74 minutes when he set up Reds' equaliser, flicking the ball for the dangerous Joel Grandison to break clear, making no mistake this time when he slotted past a statuesque Sargeant.

Extra time was eventually required and it was Reds who rose to the occasion.

Reds had a real stroke of fortune when taking the lead after 94 minutes when a long ball into City's goalmouth struck Grandison on the head and deflected past a stranded Sargeant who could only watch in horror as the ball trickled over his goal-line.

There was no fluke about Reds' match-clinching goal on 114 minutes.

Connor Deards was clumsily brought down by a tiring Shabir Khan allowing Josh Quaynor to crown a cracking Reds display by rifling home a fabulous free-kick which flew past Sargeant from an acute angle.

The win was no more than Reds deserved and will give them a real boost ahead of Saturday's home clash with Barwell in the Southern League Premier.

Reds: Wren 7; Moran 6 (Jenkins 72), Quaynor 8, Hickman 8, Flanagan 7, Richards 6, Grandison 7, Hands 8, Cresswell 7, Deards 6, Amenku 6 (Oshungbure 78). Subs not used: McDonald, Catlow.

City: Sargeant; Weir, Deeney, Burley, Ayres (Rowe 79), Khan, Breeze (Thorley 70), Elvins, Taylor (Glover 82), Edwards, Mills. Subs not used: Povan, Thompson.

Referee: Steve Plane Attendance: 141