Saffron Walden Town hosted Redbridge in this BBC Essex Senior cup 2nd round tie on a cold Tuesday night.

An early free kick by the hosts saw Spike Bell's effort fly over the bar failing to test Jake Larkins who was debuting in the Redbridge goal.

Redbridge then attacked down the left flank with James Barlow shooting from a wide angle which Emmanuel Olajide was able to gather.

A ball over the top from Saffron Walden was then misjudged by defender Dean Hall allowing Charlie Cole in on goal but he fired wide of the upright.

Timi Abiola was getting forward at every opportunity for Redbridge and his powerful burst forward saw him release Taylor Tombides who was denied by the agile Olajide coming quickly off his line to thwart the striker.

In a real end to end encounter George Frodsham then found himself through on goal but chose the wrong option in shooting when his team mates were better placed in the middle.

The opening goal soon followed when a loose clearance fell kindly to Lewis Francis who was able to fire through a crowded penalty area to give the hosts a lead.

Shortly after and the home side doubled their advantage, Ollie Emsden then picked the ball up and ran forward unchallenged before picking out the run of Cole who was able to beat the offside trap and slot past Larkins.

Redbridge heads never went down and they continued to attack with Dan Gilchrist seeing his effort blocked before a nice passing move saw Jordayne Henry's cross turned home by Tombides to half the deficit.

Tombides then looked to become provider as he headed the ball down into the path of Gilchrist who saw his low effort well gathered by Olajide.

With the away side desperately searching for the equaliser they were undone again as a ball over the top found Cole in space and with just Larkins to beat he made no mistake restoring his sides two goal advantage at the break.

Into the second half and Redbridge had a good opportunity as the referee spotted a deliberate pass back to Olajide resulting in a free kick just outside the area.

At the second time of asking Barlow touched the ball onto Tombides who fired his effort through a crowd of bodies and over the line and although the referee had to consult with his official the goal stood.

The remainder of the half went by with little in the way of chances although Larkins was called upon to palm away a fierce Scott Pethers pile driver.

With both sides making substitutions , the final third of the match mainly saw Redbridge attacking whilst the home side looked to see the match out.

Tombides fired over from a good position before James Barlow thought he had equalized when in space he tried to curl the ball around Olajide into the far corner however the keeper made a fantastic flying save even managing to hold onto the ball at the same time, certainly one for the cameras !!

With time running out Redbridge finally got their reward that their efforts deserved as Payne found himself up field before looking up and curling a delightful effort into the far corner beating the dive of Olajide to send his team mates and bench into wild delight.

With no extra time in this competition it was straight to a penalty shoot out and when Harley Kee saw his effort smash against the crossbar it was advantage Redbridge and with all their previous kicks being scored Barlow stepped up for their 5th and final attempt in which he made no mistake sending his side through to a 3rd round tie at home to Barking.

report by Adam Silver