Terry Spillane made 11 changes to the side that started the weekend’s heroic FA Cup victory over Ebbsfleet United but the game gave a chance for some of the fringe and younger players in the squad to test themselves, which is a useful tool to have as a manager.

Craig Wood was making his debut for the Motormen and with regular captain Glen Golby and vice-captain Billy Sendall out, was chosen by Spillane to skipper the side. Edward Wooten was given another chance in goal to impress. In the heart of midfield young Academy star Albert Levett was given his first team debut as well with Kieran Bishop making his second appearance of the season out on the wing.

The first chance of the game fell to Redbridge’s Ryan Wade who after linking up well with his team-mates produced a stunning shot from just outside the area which struck the bar before bouncing back out on the line. It was unclear as to whether the ball had crossed the line and gone in but several of Redbridge’s attackers appealed in vain for the goal, so it may have appeared that the ball did go fully over the line after all.

Croydon to their credit grew into the game and did well to overcome the loss of their midfeidler Jamie England who hobbled of injured inside five minutes. His replacement Ramon Whorns slotted in well and did well to cut out a few testing balls from the back for Redbridge directed up top for Wade and his strike partner James Robinson.

Just before half-time, Croydon were denied taking the lead thanks to good work in goal from Wooten. First the keeper saved from Peter Afolayan’s shot from just inside the area before doing well to block Kery Kedze’s rebound before the ball was hacked away from the goalmouth.

HT Redbridge 0 Croydon Athletic 0

The second half alike the first was a tight close affair. Croydon’s defence dealt with most of Redbridge’s attacks but were lucky not to concede a penalty where Keke St Hilare combined with Wade to feed in Shane Stamp inside the area. The speedy left-back when down under a challenge but the officials agreed that Croydon’s defender had got the ball much to the annoyance of Redbridge’s staff on the sidelines.

Wade was looking lively and after seeing two free-kicks deflected over sent in a brilliant ball into the box from another set-piece but somehow the ball eluded his team-mates and went out of play past the far post.

With the game still goalless Spillane made his substitutions bringing on his son Tommy Spillane Jnr and two of the club’s Academy players Jamal Allen and Nathan Bertram-Cooper. It was a good chance for all three to make an impression.

Just as Redbridge’s passing game was beginning to look in control Croydon took the lead with 8 minutes left when out of nowhere, Jordan Cheadle controlled a long ball, before blasting a stunning 25-yard drive over Wooten in goal.

Redbridge almost got themselves back on terms but Spillane Jnr couldn’t quite divert a cross in at the far post whilst Stuart Hepburn found the net deep into injury-time with the officials ruling the goal out due to a Croydon defender being fouled inside the area in the build up to the defender’s shot.

Redbridge: Edward Wooten, Stuart Hepburn, Luke Wilson, Aarun Best (Nathan Bertram-Cooper 60), Shane Stamp, Albert Levett, Keke St Hilare, Craig Wood (Jamal Allen 58), Ryan Wade, James Robinson, Kieran Bishop (Terry Spillane Jnr 68).

Click here for Adam D's interview with midfielder Albert Levett from after the game.