THERE will be no FA Cup run for Redditch United this season after Gary Whild's side suffered a 3-1 defeat at Kettering Town.

And the Reds boss knows exactly where the tie slipped away from the visitors who had led through an Exodus Geoghaghan header.

"The turning point to me was the goal on half-time," Whild admitted. "It was a bad decision at the throw-in by young Shane Healy although apart from that I thought he had another steady game.

"Other more experienced players would probably have thrown the ball upfield rather than towards goal.

"It was tough because I thought we deserved to go in 1-0. Instead they get a goal and all of a sudden their tails are up.

"The game plan when you go to a place like Kettering is to get through the first 20 minutes and the crowd often starts to turn. That's what we did and the game plan went well. We then got ourselves a good goal - good delivery from the set-piece and a good finish - and i thought after that we were comfortable.

"But we then shot ourselves in the foot at a crucial time in the game and that gave them some momentum. They looked busy in the second half and let's not forget they are a full-time side unbeaten this season. Those are the things that help you find that extra two yards.

"It was a game I thought we deserved to get something from although they probably did enough to win because their decision making was a bit better than ours."

Geoghaghan was named man of the match by the Kettering press and Whild admits he has a bright future.

"The lad is an excellent prospect and I'd certainly be looking at him if I was at another club," he admitted.

"But we have looked after him and he's on contract. If a club comes in for him and he can progress as a player then that's football. But the deal has to be right for everone including Redditch United."

Whild was forced to watch the cup tie unfold from the Rockingham Road stand as he began a three-match touchline ban following his sending off at the Alfreton Town match at the end of August.

He will also be missing from the dug-out for this weekend's trip to Workington as well as Tuesday's Birmingham Senior Cup tie with Stratford Town at the Valley Stadium.

"I enjoyed watching the game from up in the stand," he said.

"You can see a lot more from up there and you can probably make more rational decisions because you get more of an overview and you are not being influenced by what's going on along the touchline."

The Reds head to Workington on Saturday with Jai Stanley expected to return to the side.

Family committments forced the former Worcester City and Moor Green midfielder to miss the cup game but his display at right back against Southport the previous week may see him make a rapid return.

The experienced Matty Clarke could be another option if he recovers from his knee trouble in time, while Ashley Walker could be on his way to Bromsgrove Rovers on loan.