The Reds managed to dominate Shelford for large spells but still looked a shadow of the side challenging for promotion just a few weeks.
Saturday's 36-20 defeat came to be very late in the day at the Recreation Ground. It always seemed as though they were doing just enough to ensure victory.
However, touchdowns from Tom Notman and Greg Goodfellow, as well as a penalty try, were not enough as the visitors fought back well in the latter stages to take five league points and leave Redruth with nothing.
The home side were off the mark within the first two minutes, Paul Thirlby settling the hosts by striking a long-distance penalty straight through the posts.
An excellent backs move, finished by Notman, and converted by Thirlby then set up a ten-point lead.
That advantage lasted less than five minutes as Shelford scrum-half Charlie Baker seized on some loose defensive work from the Reds to score under the posts, with Adam White converting.
Redruth applied pressure thereafter but errors, both forced and unforced, prevented them pulling clear once again. It took the incredible pace and clinical finishing of Goodfellow to turn a frustrating first half into an acceptable one.
Full-back Shingai Chiwanga was made to look like a statue as Goodfellow flashed past him to the try line. Thirlby, this time, was unable to add the extras.
Flanker Jamie Cullen ensured the home side's difficulties would continue by opening the second-half scoring with a try for Shelford.
Two Thirlby penalties re-established some momentum for Redruth but Jason Billows upped the pressure on Reds once more. They responded with a sustained period of territorial dominance in Hellfire Corner, earning a penalty try which Thirlby converted.
But Shelford were eager to get bonus points for their own bid to challenge for a top-two place. A fourth try through Baker and Brady's conversion meant they were on course for at least two losing bonus points.
That soon become all five with a penalty from Brady and a fifth try, scored by Redmond Newberry. Redruth director of rugby Adrian Edwards said: "They capitalised on our mistakes and you have to say fair play to them. You could sense there was a little bit of pressure on us after back-to-back losses. You could feel it and it made us force things."
