The management duo opted for just two changes from the side that drew with Kettering Town at the weekend – James Spruce made his full debut for the Blues with Joe Nyahwema starting on the bench, and Zayn Hakeem made his first start since returning from international duty in place of Nathan Tyson.

Both teams flew out of the blocks and looked to put themselves on the front foot in the opening stages of this Monday night clash at The Valley Stadium.

Micah Jebbison had the first real chance early on when Hakeem’s threading pass found the winger through on goal, but after a weak foot snapshot, the ball flew wide of the target.

Ten minutes later, Redditch captain Flanagan had an opportunity of his own after recovering a cleared corner and curling an effort towards goal, although he was denied by the hands of Ben Whiting.

Hakeem had an opportunity to convert for the Blues just moments later – Ryley Reynolds and Ryan Campbell-Gordon combined with the latter producing an in-swinging cross for the striker but to no avail.

Midway through the first half, Prince Henry attempted to find the the back of the net from the edge of the box with a curled effort, however the shot was blocked by Bertram and trickled into the hands of Whiting.

The final chance of the first half fell to the hosts when Aram Soleman looked to whip an effort towards goal from around 20 yards out, although it did not trouble the Blues’ shot-stopper and subsequently, the referee brought the first half to a close.

Minutes after the restart, James Spruce had an opportunity to finish Reynolds’ fantastic lay-off from close, but Adam Harrison did well to snatch the ball from the feet of the forward.

It was the hosts that in fact took the lead after 54 minutes played – a perfectly placed out-swinging cross was met by the thumping head of Wollacott before nestling in the back of the net.

Just three minutes later, Redditch doubled their advantage after being awarded a penalty for a late challenge by Reynolds inside the Reds’ box. Flanagan stepped up and tucked away the penalty into the bottom right.

Reynolds had a chance to reduce the hosts’ lead mid-way through the second half, but the midfielder’s unorthodox shot whilst scrambling along the floor was a comfortable stop for Harrison.

Two big chances fell to Redditch in the dying moments of the match – the first came through substitute Danny King who capitalised on an error from Whiting and looked to find the back of the net through four defenders but could not quite do so.

Then, seconds later, Henry found himself one-on-one with Nathan Whitehead, but the forward opted for an early snapshot in which Whiting was equal to in between the sticks.

Long Eaton looked for a consolation with seconds left, although it was not meant to be, and the Blues walked away from The Valley Stadium on the wrong end of a two-nil defeat.