At a sunny Oakside bottom side Redbridge entertained 2nd placed Thurrock knowing that nothing less than a win would be enough in their bid to avoid relegation whilst the away side still had an outside chance of the league title.

As in previous seasons however nothing is ever finalised until the summer and with always the chance of a reprieve Redbridge knew they would need to at least get off the foot of the table in order to have any chance of receiving one.

The away side started the much the stronger putting Redbridge back line under pressure and there was a very early chance for ex Motormen Ronnie Winn as he ran onto a through ball but his effort was turned away for a corner.

It was Winn again causing problems as this time he got the better of John Burgess but Niklas Freund was off his line quickly to clear away the danger.

The first effort for the home side came after 17 minutes when Jay Knight shot from range testing Rhys Madden in the Thurrock goal and although the loose ball fell to Reside Coxi-Sebastfao he was in an offside position.

Freund was soon called upon to make a flying save as he tipped away Lewwis Spence's curling effort before Joe Gent wasted a good chance for Redbridge when he latched onto Rigers Kabashi crossfield ball and although he had time and space he blasted his effort wide.

Redbridge then had a call for a penalty after Gent appeared to be up ended in the box but the referee waved away the appeals.

The home side were certainly in the match making it difficult for their opponents and a great run from Coxi Sebastfao almost ended with a goal as he drilled his effort wide of the right hand post.

The half ended with a free header from a corner by Junior Baker which was wide of goal.

The 2nd half saw Thurrock dominate scoring four times in the process. Winn squeezed his effort against a post but from the resulting passage of play Ross Wall slotted home the opening goal.

David Cowley soon made it 2-0 when his effort looped up over Freund into the back of the net.

Redbridge sub Hussainou Jaffa was forced to put the ball into his own bet under pressure from Lewwis Spence after a dangerous cross from Thurrock substitute Daniel Francis.

It was Francis who in injury time was then brought down before stepping up and slotting home the penalty just before the referee blew his whistle

The score line combined with other results means that Redbridge can not finish no higher than 23rd position and barring a reprieve will now be relegated to the Essex Senior League

Report by Adam Silver