The home side pressed from the off as Bradley Bennett put over a cross finding Samraj Gill who controlled the ball but was soon crowded out before he could get a shot on goal.

Jack Chawner then tried his luck from range but only succeeded in blasting wide of the target.

A scare at the back for the home side as Jordi Papple found himself free on goal with just Connor Wheatley to beat but placed his lobbed effort over the bar however a raised offside flag on the far side would have
denied any goal.

Joe Elliott then got forward putting over a cross which was deflected into the path of striker Tony Martin who looped his header over.

Martin again found himself involved, this time forcing a good save from Oakley keeper Billy Lawlor however once again the offside flag was raised.

The away side then had a decent spell of possession winning a series of corners but failed to make any of them count.

Back at the other end and George Purcell fizzled a shot wide of the upright before good defending from Oakley denied a Redbridge striker getting on the end of a teasing cross from Elliott.

Almost an equalizer for the away side when a cross in from the right found Nyan Mesuria who looked certain to poke the ball home but Bennett was well positioned to clear off the line.

The same player then almost scored at the other end as he burst forward before firing in a shot which Lawlor managed to push against the post before the ball fortunately fell back into his arms.

The home side again went close as Martin blasted over from close range after a corner was flicked on into his path, this proved to be the final action of the first half.

The second period began with the home side continuing to dominate but not get on the score sheet, Dean Hall rising highest to head over a corner.

The next 15 minutes went past without little incident and started to become a little scrappy , the closest either side came was when Greg Rodger managed to fire a shot on target requiring Whealtey to show good reactions as he saved with his feet.

A big moment followed when the home side was awarded a penalty, Purcell won the ball in the box and as he turned he went crashing to the ground. Angry shout from the players and bench of Oakley but the referee was adamant the player had been fouled and proceeded to award the penalty. Purcell himself dusted himself off and stepped up to blast the ball past Lawlor to give his side the lead.

From the aftermath Oakley were temporarily reduced to ten men when Rory Harman talked himself into the sin bin , Redbridge did not need to wait long to capitalize on the man advantage as just five minutes they doubled their advantage.

Substitute Ibrahim Kehinde combined well with Bennett who put over a cross finding Purcell unmarked at the far post and he made no mistake to grab his second of the match and put some daylight between the two sides.

Frustration was getting the better of Oakley who then had another player sent to the sides after a bad challenge as they were down to nine for a few minutes.

Things started to boil over and a late tackle on Elliott saw both sets of players come together, the referee deciding that Kehinde had raised his hands to an opponent and presented him with a straight red card much to the astonishment of the player who denied any wrongdoing however the referee was adamant in his decision.

Redbridge were able to see out the final moments of the game comfortably as full time was soon called on proceedings. With Enfield losing they were able to make up some ground on the league leaders who they meet back here Monday evening in the Errington Challenge Cup.

report by Adam Silver