Redhill edged visiting Balham 2-1 at the Brow yesterday, their second home win in the last five days, to put themselves within striking distance of the top five in the Premier Division South. They are now unbeaten in the league since mid-August.

The Lobsters enjoyed the perfect start against Balham, who share AFC Croydon Athletic's ground and started yesterday's match in the bottom four with just two wins. With barely a minute gone on a surprisingly warm afternoon Tom Drinkwater's header from Nathan Hogan's free-kick looped beyond 'keeper Noctor's flailing arms to give the home side an early advantage.

Noe Vendrells, leading the attack in Brown's absence, slipped a short pass to Hogan on 17 minutes and the youngster took it in his stride before drilling a right-footer into the corner for 2-0. Danyaal Iqbal missed from close range after being set up by Hogan's burst down the left and there was a curious end to the half with Vendrells sin-binned for dissent and Nathan Upton also cautioned after a very brief incident involving former Reds favourite Ashley Snadden.

Redhill lost some of their momentum in the second half when down to ten men and the visitors started to put some meaningful attacks together. The Reds had their chances too, Noctor stretching to tip over a Sam King effort and Drinkwater almost replicating his goal from another Hogan free-kick. Then Read's penalty for Balham for a foul near the end gave the Reds a few anxious moments before they were able to celebrate another victory at the final whistle.

Redhill: Minchin, Edwards, Tutt, Wadmore, Upton, Drinkwater, Iqbal (Kenlock), Huckle (Smith H.), Vendrells N., King, Hogan (Vendrells A.)