RUTHLESS Redditch United cruised to a consecutive victory, beating Leiston 5-0 in their efforts to creep back into the Southern League Premier Division Central play-offs.

In a lively start, the Reds' Johnny Johnston's blocked shot found Aram Soleman whose rebound was saved.

Leiston quickly won a corner at the other end and Jack Manley saw his effort on the edge of the box blocked by Calum Flanagan.

Redditch continued to threaten in the first quarter with shots from Jordan Cranston and Alex Cameron both going wide.

Reece Flanagan opened the scoring in the 26th minute for the hosts from the penalty spot.

The skipper hit the bar from a free-kick and the ball fell to Johnston who felt a push in the box and was awarded the spot-kick.

Just before half-time, there were huge appeals for a second penalty when Johnston was clean through but the referee blew the other way for a foul from the Redditch player first.

But minutes later the Reds doubled their lead when neat play down the left from Johnston saw him poke the ball through the legs of his opponent and lay the ball across goal for Cameron to finish off a dominant half of football.

The Reds had the dream start to the second period when a lovely passage of play saw Cameron again finish off with his third goal in two games.

They ran rampant and Brad Burton made a driving run into the Leiston box to slot past keeper Sam Donkin.

Just minutes later Danny King beat the offside trap, plucked the ball out of the air and finished to make it five.

Leiston's Ross Crane hit the bar with a free-kick as the Reds held on to their clean sheet.

The Reds are now on the same points as Stratford Town who occupy that fifth-place play-off spot.

Redditch are next in action against Barwell away at the Kirkby Road Sports Ground on Saturday (3pm).

Meanwhile, newly-crowned Worcestershire FA Senior Cup champions Alvechurch could not take that form into the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Finley Thorndike put Church ahead with a stunning free-kick at Coalville Town who ended up winning 2-1 thanks to an Ashley Chambers double.

Church, who now have a weekend off, won the county cup last week with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success at lower-ranked Evesham United after drawing 0-0 in 90 minutes.