Redbridge went into their penultimate home match of the season desperately needing a win if they were to have any chance of securing a top two finish after their recent poor run had seen them take just two points from a possible twelve having seen us drop down to 4th position.

The home side started the strongest as they looked to attack from the off and Patrick Duggan had a shot which was off target. A long ball up field from Courtney Homans then found Brian Moses who headed down into the path of Eljay Worrell who saw his shot well blocked.

The Motormen were then awarded a free kick which Worrell took but he could only find the wrong side of the upright.

Almost a scare for Redbridge when a free kick was floated in by Robbie Norris to the far post where Jordon Fisher blasted over from close range when he really should have found the target.

Worrell once again was involved when he controlled the ball before shooting from distance but Lawrence Priddle in goal was on hand to make the save.

A nice passing move out on the right flank between Thomas Gogo and Homans saw the cross fall at the feet of Duggan who saw his shot deflected by Remi Nelson but safely into the keeper's hands.

Redbridge then almost gifted their opponents the lead when Jonathon Mbamarsh was far too casual in trying to clear his lines and the ball was stolen off him by a Manor player and only for the prevention of the outrushing Lewis Greene were they denied a certain goal.

A corner then found Moses who chested down into path of Reside Coxi Sebastfao who was unable to squeeze home from close range.

Into the second half and Moses ran towards the Southend defence before being brought to the ground but the referee alleged the striker had dived and produced a yellow card.

The away side were not really offering much in the final third and their best opportunity came through a long range effort from Lee Delf but it flew way over the bar.

The best chance of the match then came when a loose ball fell to Moses who turned and shot but the ball deflected off Priddle before bouncing up onto and then across the bar before finally being cleared to safety.

Redbridge escaped againt when a poor goal kick by Greene almost reached a Manor striker but Vinny Murphy was able to just get there in time to clear the danger.

The deadlock was finally broken on 73 minutes when a corner was swung in and within a melee of players around the box Worrell was on hand to stab the ball over the line.

The goal gave the home side a boost as they suddenly looked a different side and the introduction of substitute Joshua Hutchinson gave them an extra sting in their tails.

The second goal did indeed soon come and through another substitute in Dan Gilchrist who picked the ball up outside the area after a corner had been cleared and he smashed home into the top corner.

Redbridge then saw out the final minutes of the game before the full time whistle blew giving them a much needed victory as their promotion dreams continue going into the final week of the ESL season.

report by Adam silver