Redditch United are still seeking their first point of the Blue Square North season after Ian Graham's goal proved decisive for Blyth Spartans.

The Reds manager Gary Whild felt his side had been unlucky not to come away from Croft Park with at least a point.

"We did enough to get something out of the game today and it was a massive improvement on this time last week.

"If we carry on playing the way we did today then we will chip out a few results," he added.

Ian Graham's goal came on the hour-mark and Gary Whild told BBC Hereford and Worcester it was something of a slap in the face for his young players who had come out strongly after the interval.

We managed to bring in Jordan Street from Yeovil, but the nature of the club's finances means you are not always in a position to bring in the players you want Gary Whild

"In the second half I thought were the better side as we were on the front foot and just needed to take one of the chances we created," he said.

"But it was a far better performance than last Saturday and a big improvement in the past seven days.

"We just have to keep working away at it and it will come."

After the poor performance in their opening match of the season when the Reds had been well beaten 4-1 by Stalybridge Celtic, Whild had threatened to make wholesale changes to his squad.

In the cold light of day, he admitted he had been unable to do that, but was grateful he had at least been able to add one key figure.

"We managed to bring in Jordan Street from Yeovil, but the nature of the club's finances means you are not always in a position to bring in the players you want," he said.

"But the lads have worked hard this week with the game on Tuesday and then in training on Thursday.

"I thought that showed up today as we have come away from home and had the lion's share of possession."

Redditch United will return to action on Tuesday, 18 August when they will entertain Stafford Rangers at Valley Stadium (KO 1945 BST).

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