Dunstable started the game well with Lee Roache firing a shot wide at the far post after Glen Golby failed to clear properly inside the area. Then the visitors captain Peter Holmes fired a cross-shot against the post as Dunstable with their noisy fans made their attacking intentions clear.

Redbridge though could have taken the lead just after 10 minutes but Ben Bradbury’s cross back across goal with the visitors goalkeeper Paul Taylor out of his six-yard box was cleared of the line after James Robinson struck a shot goalwards before Ryan Murray headed wide.

Robinson grandson of legendary England striker Jimmy Greaves has made an impact at the Oakside since signing for the club after coming back from Australia and he almost got onto a Nathan Gordon cross from the right but couldn’t stretch his leg out enough to diver the ball in and the ball went out onto the far sideline.

Not long after Spillane’s side were dealt a blow when Robinson and right-back Aarun Best were forced just after the half-hour. Both players have had injury problems of late and played through the pain-barrier before hobbling off. Joe Gardner and Jamie Haywood came on as their replacements.

Gardner has impressed since signing last month and but for poor finishing could have scored a hat-trick before the interval. He fired wide after rounding Taylor moments after coming on, before firing wide after Gordon found him in the area before somehow firing straight at Dunstable’s keeper inside the area after doing well to first intercept the ball of his marker before nipping past Joe Bruce inside the area.

HT Redbridge 0 Dunstable 0

Dunstable came out after half-time the better and probably due to the fact they were somehow still in the game, tried to make Redbridge pay for missing their chances. Adam Rafis in goal for the Motormen pulled of a terrific save two minutes into the half tipping wide a powerful strike from fully 30 yards from Holmes.

After Gardner had a shot saved by Taylor, Redbridge began to press forward again and with Dan Trenkel and Danny Hopkins working well in the middle, started to play the ball about nicely. Trenkel picked out Murray outside the area who powerfully bulldozed his way into the area forcing Taylor into a tremendous save down at his low post.

Nathan Fratler then fired wide for the visitors before Redbridge finally went ahead. After a corner was forced out for a throw-in, captain Golby hurled in a long throw-in into the box. Murray did well to knock the ball down for Gordon who on the turn struck a shot that went in tantalisingly off both posts.

It was the powerful forward/winger’s fourth goal of the season and one which he celebrated in style with the rest of his team-mates, going over to the sidelines to celebrate the goal with his friends and family.

With rules being rules, Gordon was booked for his celebration much to the annoyance of the home support and his fans on the farside. Five minutes after going ahead though, Redbridge conceded a penalty when Golby brought down Roache inside the area. Holmes stepped up to take the spot-kick but Rafis brilliantly guessed the right way, empathically getting his right-hand to the ball for a brilliant save.

It was the defining moment of the match as instantly Dunstable’s heads went down and shortly after they were reduced to 10 men when left-back Daniel Hutchins lashed out at Gardner on the half-way line. It was silly and it was reckless and Redbridge like all good sides should took full
advantage.

Six minutes from time a brilliant bit of distribution from Rafis picked out Gordon 40 yards out on the by-line. He played in Murray down the flank who stormed into the area picking out Bradbury at the far-post to double the Motormen’s lead. It was the winger’s fourth goal in the FA Cup this season and his eight overall. As for Murray it was another good bit of play which shows that he’s not just a forward good in the air, who does have the ability on the ball as well.

With two minutes left Gardner finally got the goal that he deserved running through on goal after being picked out by substitute Shane Stamp and finishing well with a low shot – that this time – that Taylor could do nothing about. It was a great moment for the former Great Wakering Rovers player and he was rightfully mobbed by his team-mates afterwards.

Despite Dunstable’s Shane Wood being stretchered off after coming of worse after a collision with Redbridge's Stamp, it was a momentous result for the Motormen who now stand incredibly one win away from potentially facing a Football League club in the world’s most famous Cup competition. It’s a dream which very soon could incredibly become reality for the club!

Redbridge: Adam Rafis, Billy Sendall, Tommy Spillane, Aarun Best (Jamie Haywood 34), Glen Golby, Dan Trenkel, Ben Bradbury, Danny Hopkins, Ryan Murray (Shane Stamp 85), James Robinson (Joe Gardner 33), Nathan Gordon.

Click here for the post match interview with our first team coach Darran George and striker Nathan Gordon.