THIS may not have been the most thrilling of matches but any shortfall in chances was more than made up for in terms of tension.

With Reds looking for points to lift them further away from the drop zone and the visitors hoping for something in their bid to claim the Conference North title, there was certainly plenty at stake.

But it took until midway through the first half before the game finally came to life.

With 20 minutes gone, Terry Fearns worked his way in behind Redditch defender Damian Whitcombe only to be sent crashing to the floor following a tangle of legs. But referee Merchant was unmoved and waved play on.

The latter part of the half saw chances at both ends. Droylesden's Steve Daly should have done better when heading wide from eight yards while Simon Rea's header from a Simon Hollis free-kick was easily gathered by the visitors' keeper.

Goal efforts were also shared in the second half, Reds keeper Richard Anstiss saving bravely at the feet of Daly before United substitute Richard Ball was denied by Bloods stopper Paul Phillips.

Ball had been on the pitch just two minutes and he further strengthened his case for a place in the starting line-up when he whipped a first-time volley just wide of the upright from the edge of the area.

Redditch began to dominate the match the longer it went on and almost grabbed all three points six minutes from time when his stooping header from a Carl Heggs cross flew just wide.

But after dominating for much of the second half, Reds were almost caught out in the final minute when left-back Danny Warner let fly with a 25-yard effort that Anstiss did well to palm over the crossbar.

Redditch still need to arrange a date for the Worcester Infirmary Cup semi-final.

Reds booked their place in the last four with a 4-2 win at Malvern Town and will play the winners of the Feckenham v Bromyard Town clash.

Reds: Anstiss 7, PETTY 8, Whitcombe 5 (Taylor 57, 6), Rea 7, Geoghaghan 7, Murphy 7, Hollis 5 (Softley 87), Downes 7, Rickards 6 (Ball 65, 7), Heggs 7, Palmer 7. Subs (not used): A Walker, D Walker

Droylesden: Phillips, Williams, Warner, RUFFER, Robinson, Lynch (Morris 83), Fowler (Jagielka 68), Kelly, Fearns, Daly, Tandy (Norton 75). Subs (not used): Burke, Kenim.