MIKE McGrath’s early red card proved costly as Bromsgrove Sporting suffered a 1-0 defeat against local rivals Redditch United.
McGrath saw red after just 15 minutes when he tugged back Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton as the last defender.
And Redditch eventually made the most of the man advantage when Aram Soleman headed in the game’s only goal on 76 minutes in front of 1,502 spectators at the Valley Stadium.
Sporting have now lost their last four league matches against the Reds and sit just three points above the relegation zone with rivals Redditch top of the table.
After a five-minute delay before kick-off, the Reds started the brighter of the teams as Reece Flanagan’s corner from the left hit the post.
Sporting responded with a chance of their own as Conor Tee’s effort from distance sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
However, Bromsgrove were reduced to 10-men on 15 minutes when McGrath tugged back Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton just outside the box as the Reds striker raced through on goal.
From the resulting free-kick, Skeen-Hamilton fired the ball around the wall and into the side netting.
The Reds dominated possession thereafter but failed to seriously trouble Ollie Taylor in the Sporting goal until he pushed Soleman’s effort behind just before the break.
Matt Clarke’s side remained on top at the start of the second period as Jordan Cranston saw his fierce drive from 20-yards out well-saved by Taylor low down to the keeper’s right.
Sporting remained a threat on the break and went close at the other end when Tee curled a shot inches past the post from distance.
Redditch almost took the lead from a corner later in the half only for Aaron Roberts to clear Ryan Wollacott’s header at the back post off the line.
However, the Reds finally broke the deadlock on 76 minutes when Soleman glanced Flanagan’s corner from the left into the top right corner.
Sporting almost found an equaliser at the death when Tee’s corner from the right led to a goalmouth scramble in the Redditch box before a Rouslers player shot wide from close range.
