Redditch have now lost seven Blue Square North games at Valley Stadium

Ryan Beswick's late consolation goal from the penalty spot could not prevent Redditch slipping to their seventh home defeat of the season to King's Lynn.

The Reds' coach Carl Heggs told BBC Hereford and Worcester the game had underlined the gulf between the clubs.

"Our players are getting �50 or �75 and some are playing for nothing," Heggs said.

"We've battled against a side that has probably eight times our money and we should have got something out of it."

Redditch got off to a disastrous start finding themselves two goals down after only nine minutes.

Jack Defty first netted from the penalty spot after four minutes, while the same player was on hand to head home from close range five minutes later.

When you are 2-0 down after nine minutes you are always going to be up against it Redditch goalkeeper Danny Lewis

Redditch huffed and puffed but showed few signs of reducing arrears until they were themselves awarded a late penalty when Jordan Smith was brought down inside the King's Lynn area.

There was a delay while Smith received treatment for a shoulder injury that later led to him being taken to hospital for treatment to a suspected broken collar bone.

On-loan Leicester City youngster Beswick kept his cool from the spot to score with ease seven minutes from time, but King's Lynn held out for a deserved win.

The Reds' goalkeeper Danny Lewis felt their goal had come too late in the day to have much of a bearing on the outcome.

"Like in the last few weeks we have been so close," he said. "If we could have got that goal 10 minutes into the second half then maybe we could have done something.

"Because it came in the 83rd minute we didn't leave ourselves much chance of getting back into the game," he added.

Redditch's cause was not helped when striker Marvin Robinson received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with King's Lynn's Bradley Thomas.

Danny Lewis said the sending-off was probably the final nail in the Redditch coffin as, with the side pushing forward looking for an equaliser, they were almost caught on the break.

"Down to 10 men and chasing the game we found it hard," he admitted. "We left ourselves open at the back and they had a couple of good chances at the end that luckily they didn't take.

"It's been the story since Christmas, really, where we have made silly mistakes.

"When you are 2-0 down after nine minutes you are always going to be up against it."

Redditch United face a crucial game in their bid to avoid relegation on Tuesday, 24 February when they will make the trip to the bottom club, Hucknall Town.

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