Frome Town 3, Redditch Utd 2

A goal two minutes from time denied Redditch a deserved share of the spoils at Frome.

But the United cause was not helped by having to play the final stages with ten men after striker Joe Harris was sent off for an incident involving home defender Josh Brigham.

The Reds included new signing Aaron Stringfellow at right back a move that allowed Brad Bullimore to move into midfield. Jake Bedford also got his chance between the posts in the absence of injured keeper Dean Coleman.

Defender Tesfa Robinson bagged the opener on ten minutes, rising to head home a free-kick floated to the far post.

And the Reds doubled their lead five minutes later when a Bullimore cross picked out the unmarked Connor Deards and the on loan Walsall striker headed home from close range.

But the goals proved a wake-up call for the home side and Luke Ballinger threw them a lifeline on 33 minutes with a gem of a goal that saw him turn his marker and curl the ball beyond Bedford from 22 yards.

The second half began with the home side in control and Matt Smith forced Bedford into a save soon after the restart.

Frome drew level on 67 minutes with the excellent Smith involved in the build-up that saw Ricky Hulbert ghost in before planting his shot beyond the Redditch keeper.

The Reds had Harris red carded 20 minutes from time, a dismissal that knocked both sides off their stride.

But just as the visitors looked to be regaining their composure, Smith rose to head home Mike Perrott’s cross to hand the hosts an 88th minute lead.

There was still time for United to push for a deserved equaliser and substitute Josh McKenzie nearly obliged in injury time only to be denied by Frome’s Dean Flockton.

Reds: Bedford 6, Stringfellow 7, Wood 6, Robinson 8, Hickman 5, Warmer 7, Jones 6 (Moses-Garvey 61, 5), Richards 6, Harris 3, DEARDS 8 (McKenzie 82), Bullimore 6 (Ager 69, 6). Subs (not used): Knott, Osborne