Cheltenham Town saw off the challenge of local rivals Kidderminster Harriers in an eventful game at Whaddon Road.
Goals from Steve Guinan and Grant McCann separated the sides and struggling Harriers had their captain Wayne Hatswell controversially sent off in the second half.
The incident began when Cheltenham midfielder Martin Devaney kept the ball in play, seemingly unaware that there was a Kidderminster player lying injured on the ground despite instructions from his own bench to play the ball out.
Devaney's pass found Damian Spencer, who was brought down by Hatswell, referee Darren Drysdale ruling that a goal-scoring opportunity had been prevented and brandishing a straight red card.
Up until then it had been a competitive game with chances at both ends. Kidderminster began strongly and striker Gary Birch narrowly missed a close-range opportunity to give them an early lead.
Cheltenham's John Finnigan had a goal ruled out for offside, but home goalkeeper Shane Higgs then made a fine save from Birch and Lee Jenkins sent a header just wide.
Kidderminster were made to pay for those misses in the 53rd minute when Martin Devaney, Cheltenham's best player on the day, crossed from the left and striker Steve Guinan rose to head his team in front from eight yards.
Guinan missed an even better opportunity minutes later when he lifted a shot over the bar at close range from a Brian Wilson cross. Devaney also went close with a curling shot from distance after a fine solo run.
Kidderminster's Pedro Matias saw a shot brilliantly saved by Higgs and Birch hit the rebound wide shortly before the red card controversy 10 minutes from time.
Cheltenham dominated the closing stages against 10 men and grabbed a second goal three minutes into injury time from a heavily deflected long, low shot from McCann.