Redbridge fans were left scratching their heads after such a dominating first 45 minutes where they saw their side go 2-0 up which flattered the away side. Needless to say that came back to haunt them in the second half and Romford started to get more rhythm as the game reached its penultimate end and somehow pushed on to win on penalties.

The home side tested a new forward line on the weekend against Cheshunt and it paid dividends with both Daniel Jones and Jacob Cleaver linking up well and testing the backline. That same forward line made the same impact in this game with Jones holding the ball up well and Cleaver making runs in the space.

After 15 minutes both strikers had tested the resilient Romford goal keeper, Michael Gooch, in contrast to Michael Bowditch who had very little to deal with.

Redbridge’s first goal came from an unlikely source on 19 minutes when Daniel Jones played a cutting pass from the half way line to find Nana Asamoah on the run down the left flank who found space and from 18 yards out finished sublimely to score his first goal of the season.

Redbridge were pushing hard and whispers from the crowd were saying this is the best they’ve seen the team play for a long time and it was hard to argue with them as the team were playing as one whole unit, defending and attacking as a team.

With all this pressure Redbridge was still only 1-0 up but with 5 minutes to go Redbridge upped the tempo and Romford couldn’t seem to get the ball. Inevitably Redbridge did get the deserved breakthrough. Lee Newton made a great run into the box and the only way to stop him was to bring him down and it was Romford’s Bobby Port the culprit.

An easy decision to give, but surprisingly no card was brandished. Danny Hayes stepped up to take the resulting penalty and finished with a cool head to power it home and finish the half 2-0 up.

Redbridge, as comfortable as they were 2-0 up, must have felt they should have had more to put the tie past the away side. But the second half started the same as the first with Daniel Jones testing the keeper from 20 yards out but Gooch was equal to it.

However that high pressure wore off five minutes into the half and Romford were starting to take advantage as silly mistakes crept into the home sides play. Soon after Romford got a foothold in the game they took advantage and Alfie Hilton latched onto a loose ball in the box and slices it past Bowditch to make 2-1 and became the catalyst for what proved to be a nervous half for the home side.

On the hour mark Asamoah ran down the line but Adam Salmon soon brought him to a resounding halt after hacking him down which clearly left the wing back in pain and had to be substituted.

Up until the last 10 minutes Redbridge were holding on for their lives with Stephen Ikumelo impressing at the back but with seven minutes to go Romford eventually broke Redbridge fans hearts with an equaliser after what was a carbon copy of Redbridge’s first goal which Lewis Francis chipped over Michael Bowditch to send the away sides fans into raptures.

Redbridge were shocked but it seemed to spark them into life and in added time substitute Frankie Williams hit a hopeful shot in through the crowd, taking a deflection which almost wrong footed Michael Gooch only for him to pull off an unbelievable save to prevent an astonishing last minute winner.

Penalties are a harsh part of cup football and with extra-time not being played, Redbridge found out exactly how tough they can be when Jones and Nikki Beale both hit their penalties over with Romford eventually winning 3-1 after Jacob Cleaver scored his with Danny Hayes sadly not being able to deal with the pressure as his effort hit the bar.

As hard as the defeat is to take Redbridge can take comfort from their first half display, a dominant performance against a side that are pushing for promotion in the league. They take that hope into this Saturday’s away game at Chatham Town.

By Stuart Ballard – @stuartballard

Click here for Del Robinson's post-match interview with Stuart Ballard.