The Stourbridge side showed three changes from the last league contest with Lowestoft Town. Brad Birch, Callum Powell and Luke Benbow started in place of Darryl Westlake, Chekaine Steele and Kaiman Anderson.

The Glassboys played down the slope in the first-half in their visit to the Trico Stadium since the 3G pitch was installed.

For a good part of the first period the two sides cancelled each other out with neither keeper seriously tested in the opening twenty minutes.

Reece Francis in the Redditch goal was called into action to deal with the first shot of note in the 20th minute. A free-kick played forward by Paul McCone enabled Luke Benbow to send over a cross that was partially cleared by Jamie Ashmore towards Callum Powell and from the edge of the box he got a shot away that Francis safely held.

Five minutes later Benbow blazed a 30-yard effort well over before Redditch had a fine chance three minutes later. A splendid pass from Dave Reynolds in behind Aris Christophorou picked out Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham on the left-hand edge of the box, however a heavy first touch allowed James Wren to clean up.

Stourbridge broke the deadlock with 36 minutes gone. The hosts were guilty of switching off momentarily and Powell hit an early low shot from 25 yards that flashed past Francis.

Four minutes before the interval Redditch threatened again with Reynolds playing the ball through looking for the run of Leachman-Whittingham, but as he was closed down by Christophorou coming across, the home attacker screwed his shot wide of the near post.

Stourbridge responded with Thompson-Brown squaring a pass to Greg Mills who drilled a low angled shot past the far post.

HT Redditch United 0 Stourbridge 1

A strong second-half showing saw the Glassboys eventually run out comfortable victors.

Within three minutes of the re-start the visitors had the opportunity to double their advantage after Powell was tripped inside the box by a mistimed tackle from Rob Evans and Mills coolly tucked away the resulting spot-kick.

Shortly afterwards Benbow fired off-target before the Worcestershire hosts had their best spell of the game as they sought a way back into the contest. Harry Franklin fed Michael Nelson and his shot was deflected for a corner and then the Glassboys defence held firm with some good blocks as the Reds pressed again.

In the 57th minute Nelson cut in from the left before clipping a low shot past Wren's left-hand upright and six minutes later ex-Glassboy Sam Tye wriggled his way through but once again his shot was blocked for a corner.

Having come through that passage of play, the visitors then hit back decisively to add a third goal that more or less put the game to bed in the 65th minute. Broadhurst fed Benbow and he turned and struck a superb rising shot from 20 yards beyond Francis into the top corner of the net.

A buoyant Stourbridge side threatened once more on 71 minutes with an inswinging cross from Mills on the left just evading Birch in the middle, but two minutes later the visitors made it four. Mills sent in another inswinging ball that came off the head of home defender Evans and left Francis flailing at thin air as it found the net. Mills was credited with the goal although it was dubious whether his original effort was on target.

Westlake and Steele were introduced in quick succession to replace Birch and Powell on 75 and 76 minutes respectively.

In the 81st minute Broadhurst won possession and fed Mills and he drove forward towards the edge of the penalty area before letting fly with a shot that flew over the bar.

Kaiman Anderson replaced Benbow for the last nine minutes as Stourbridge saw out the remaining time with no real further alarm to strengthen their standing in the division.

Team – Wren, Hayden, Brown, McCone, Christophorou, Birch, Powell, Broadhurst, Benbow, Thompson-Brown, Mills

Subs – Westlake (for Birch 75 mins), Steele (for Powell 76 mins), Anderson (for Benbow 83 mins), Pierpoint, Forde (not used)

Att – 432

No bookings