Both sides went into their final match of the season still with lots in the balance with hosts Basildon United knowing a win would guarantee them a runners up spot and with it a place back in the Isthmian league for the first time since 1991.

Redbridge on the other hand needed the win themselves which would guarantee a 3rd place spot and could still possibly be enough for a promotion place based via an invitational basis.

A very healthy crowd of 339 were in attendance to watch the game which got under way with the away side having much of the early play.

An Eljay Worrell free kick was played into the path of Patrick Duggan but his effort was cleared before Basildon came forward and Joe Skeels saw his shot deflected into the path of goalkeeper Lewis Greene.

Brian Moses then picked the ball up and began to stride forward leaving two Bees players in his wake before being hauled to the ground but any penalty appeals went unnoticed.

A huge scare for Basildon when Thomas Gogo looked up and curled an effort which hit the cross bar before bouncing back down and finally away to safety.

Jack Adlington then had a good chance for the home side but his shot went straight into the arms of the Redbridge keeper.

Redbridge were by far having the better of the play and chances and really should have gone ahead through Moses after good work out wide by Joshua Hutchinson found Shaun Harris who crossed into the striker’s path but he was unable to make any connection when any touch surely would have resulted in a goal.

From the same build up of play the ball was then crossed back into the danger area before being hacked away off the line when it seemed certain a goal would be scored.

The half ended with the Bees much the happier going in level at the break whilst Redbridge will be kicking themselves not to be at least one goal ahead.

The 2nd half began in much the same way as the first with Remi Nelson forcing a good save from Connor Wheatley before he was then called upon once again to stop a superb long range free kick from Patrick Duggan which he turned around the upright.

Basildon then made some substitutions as they looked to pose more of an attacking threat and sub James Peagram almost made an immediate impact but was unable to get any power as he turned and shot.

It was still the away side who looked most likely to score but time was slowly starting to run out and a draw would not help either side.

Into the final minute and Jack Renew was upended on the edge of the box and up stepped Marcus Bowers who superbly curled his free kick past the wall and Greene to send the home crowd into jubilant scenes. It was the striker's 34th goal of the season and with it gave him the Essex Senior League's golden boot.

Then followed a 5 minute spell of injury time however the home side managed to hold on before the final whistle was blown securing promotion into the Bostik North for the 2018/19 season whilst Redbridge who end the campaign in 4th can consider themselves very unfortunate to have lost the game and although had a fine season ultimately end up with nothing to show for it.

match report by Adam Silver