Redditch 2 Stafford Rangers 2

Stafford were well worth a draw on last night's performance but, after conceding two quick second half goals, they looked like they might get nothing from this Blue Square North clash. The first half was fairly even with both goalkeepers making good saves to keep their sides on level terms.

For Stafford, Tim Sandercombe produced an instinctive block from a first-time shot by Owen Story and Danny Lewis saved a bullet header from former Redditch player Liam Murray.

Lewis was again on hand on 35 minutes to save a shot from Mark Magee which bounced awkwardly in front of him. But Stafford seemed to implode in defence just after the break as they went two down in the space of five minutes.

Sandercombe failed to deal with a Ryan Beswick corner on 48 minutes and could only parry the ball towards the line where Murray headed out, but straight to Carl Heggs, a former Rangers loanee, who nodded the ball home.

Then a long free-kick by Lewis saw the ball reach Story deep in the Stafford half and in plenty of space.

Without any challenge, Story let the ball bounce once and smashed in the half volley to put Reds 2-0 up. Stafford were given a 65th minute lifeline when Heggs brought down on-loan Crewe forward Chris Clements on his debut.

McNiven converted the penalty and it looked like Stafford, desperate to get away from the bottom half of the table, would push hard for the equaliser.

This they did, but they were almost caught on 71 minutes when Sandercombe did well to block a Story shot with his legs

The last five minutes of the game proved exciting as Christian Millar went close for Stafford before hesitancy in the home defence saw Jake Moult feed McNiven who scored from close range.

The drama wasn't over as former Dudley Town defender Jamie Oliver fouled substitute Matt Buckham in injury time and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The resulting free-kick saw McNiven go close to his hat-trick with a pinpoint effort which was brilliantly saved by Lewis.

Redditch will be disappointed with the result after being two up but Rangers will be pleased with an away point before facing a Marston Road double header in the next two games.

Redditch: Lewis, Spittle, Oliver, Briscoe, Rowe-Turner, Heggs, Byrne, Story, Hay, Hands, Beswick. Subs: Daniels, Dickinson (for Byrne 77), Bullimore, Ball (for Hay 86), Rose.

Stafford: Sandercombe, Francis, Murray, Thorley, Daniel ©, Pierpoint, Clements, Moult, McNiven, Magee, Millar. Subs: Buckham (for Magee 76), Dodd, Morris, Brindley, Allen

Attendance: 217