Redditch United have signed ex-Cheltenham Town and Hinckley United defender Tom Birch on a free transfer.

Reds assistant Mickey Moore said boss Gary Whild had been looking for an experienced centre-half before Saturday's home clash with Alfreton.

"He [Birch] has got some experience at this level which can help the youngsters in the squad," Moore told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"We are a young and naive squad and it is going to take time for them to gel."

The Reds upset the form book in their last outing when the came away from Northwich Victoria with a 2-0 victory.

What we have got to try and do is get a team out there that is going to fight, battle and compete to try and nick points Redditch assistant manager Mickey Moore

And Moore admitted the result had come as a great relief to everyone at Valley Stadium, especially as it came off the back of the disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Stafford Rangers.

"Obviously when you are 'played four, lost four' confidence starts to drain a bit so it was good to go away from home and get our first three points," he said.

"We were very disappointed against Stafford as we thought we would get something out of that game.

"We went a goal in front and thought we were going to kick on from there, but in the second half we huffed and puffed but didn't really create a lot of chances," he added.

Redditch recently brought in attacking midfielder James Dance from Midland Alliance club Coalville Town and Moore feels it is inevitable the club will continue to recruit from the same level.

"That is what the gaffer [Gary Whild] has always been good at as he has always been able to find little gems lower down the leagues," he said.

"We need to go out there and look as we are not shopping at Harrods like your Telfords are.

"Fleetwood have bought a centre half for £17,000 and a centre forward for £10,000 but we're not shopping there.

"What we have got to try and do is get a team out there that is going to fight, battle and compete to try and nick points against them."

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