Redbridge headed into the final week of the league season playing the first of three matches as they went in search of a solitary point which would secure 2nd place and a play off match against a step four side.

George Martin started in goal whilst Mohamed Kahie started a league game for the first time, Jack Chawner and Joe Elliott were on the bench giving both players a much needed rest and with thoughts towards remaining matches

The first chance came the way of the away side as a free kick was floated in finding Olamiji Ayoola unmarked in space but his headed was straight into the arms of Wilkinson Boateng.

The home side then were presented with a chance as a fortunate deflection fell into the path of Richard Kone who saw his shot gathered by Martin at the near post.

A spell of Newham pressure followed , Siva Sathananhan tried his luck from range but was unable to keep his effort down and saw it fly over the bar.

The best chance of the game then fell to Redbridge, Brian Moses played in Michael Pindy who decided rather than shoot to square the ball across to James Barlow in space but his shot was blocked by a Newham defender.

Barlow then found joy down the left flank on a couple of occasions but on each time his cross was cut out by Boateng.

Newham ended the half on the attack winning a series of corners which came to nothing before the whistle was blown on what was in truth a largely uneventful first 45 minutes.

Into the second period and Redbridge looked the brighter of the two sides and were soon presented with an opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick.

Jerold Cobblah was fouled in the box and up stepped Moses however his shot down the centre of the goal was saved by the legs of Boateng , the resulting rebound almost fell kindly to Redbridge but was cleared to safety.

Moses then had an opportunity to make amends for his penalty miss when got free down the right but rather than finding the pass he decided to go alone and the chance was gone, Barlow then had an effort but his shot lacked any intensity.

Moses was then sent from the pitch to the sin bin for apparently something he had said to the referee after not being awarded a free kick.

Shouts at the other end now for a penalty as Kone ended up on the ground but nothing given and play allowed to continue.

Redbridge were now pushing for the goal, denied on several occasions as a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping preventing them from going ahead.

However it was almost Newham who went in front, the ball was given away to substitute Jeff Idemudia who was denied by the out rushing Martin and the loose ball just evaded another red shirt from finding the net.

Another great chance back at the other end a Redbridge sub Tony Martin saw his effort palmed away by Boateng straight into the path of Moses who could only fire the rebound wide .

The missed chances then proved costly as the home side broke down the left , Kone putting over a cross which was fired in past Martin at the near post to put Newham ahead with just a minute of normal time remaining.

Redbridge now had to push for the equalizer but in doing so left gaps at the back and deep into injury time were opened up again, no free kick was awarded on Joe Elliott who believed he had been fouled and play continued with the ball ending up in the back of the Redbridge net.

Full time was then called and with it Redbridge title hopes seem to be over although still will be hopeful of securing 2nd place from their two remaining matches whilst Enfield need just a point away at relegated side Southend Manor to secure the league title.

report by Adam Silver