UNBEATEN RUN ENDED

Needham Market's nine game unbeaten run was ended by a 2-1 defeat away at fellow play-off chasers Redditch United.

With Tommy Smith out ill and Ollie Saunders unavailable through injury, Reserves defender Brad Smith made his maiden first team start and new signing Marcel Lewis was given his Needham debut.

Redditch (4') turned into space on the edge of the box, only to shoot straight at James Bradbrook, while the hosts (7') turned a left wing free-kick, by the corner flag, narrowly wide of the far post.

While the game started fairly end to end with little much of note, James Bradbrook (18') was alert to beat behind a left wing cross-shot at his near post.

Needham created a good chance in the 24th minute, Marcel Lewis drove into space outside the box, only for his low effort to be blocked. The ball fell to Cowling, to jink down the left-hand side, the midfielder's low ball was picked up by Joe Neal whose low strike at point blank range was deflected crucially wide.

The hosts meanwhile curled a 39th minute dangerous free-kick across goal, forcing a good diving catch from Bradbrook, low to his right-hand side.

The Marketmen though broke the deadlock on 41 minutes, a brilliant ball down the right sent Joe Neal surging forward, the striker's excellent low squared ball on a plate was swept home by Myles Cowling.

Eddie Barker replaced Reggie Lambe at the break, while Redditch fired over from close range after a low left wing cross (55').

Goalscorer Cowling fired agonisingly just wide of the bottom far corner from the left-hand edge of the area on 56 minutes, although Redditch equalised on the hour mark - Jenson Sumnall heading low into the bottom left-hand corner. as Chambers replaced Neal.

Eddie Barker exploited space only to volley ferociously over (66'), prior to good play from Needham (70') saw Marcel Lewis tee up Luke Ingram - only for his fierce first time shot to be well blocked.

However, Redditch (71') took the lead, Aaron Bishop turned a low cross into the bottom far, left-hand, corner.

Max Appauh replaced Lewis, before Needham went agonisingly close to restoring parity (76').

Barker's excellent left wing corner was shot agonisingly just wide of the top near corner by Ingram at close range.

Jake Dye (81') heroically headed away a dangerous low ball into the six yard box, saving a certain header on target.

Bradbrook (84') held onto a low shot comfortably at his near post, who then held onto a curled effort well 2 minutes later.

Needham had a golden chance on 91 minutes, Keiran Morphew drove forward, sliding Ingram free down the right wing whose superb cross was headed goal-wards by Cowling but over by Chambers lurking at close range.

Ingram (94') smashed narrowly over on the half-volley, as Needham slip to eighth place - albeit only 3 points off Quorn in the final play-off place in fifth with seven huge games left to play.

Needham travel to Worcester City on Saturday (3pm).