Jody Brown decided to give full debuts to youngsters Kane Sheppard and Kyle Fraser-Allen and both youngsters featured heavily for the Motormen linking up well with McLeod up front the whole game.

In tough conditions, the first clear chance fell to Tilbury as good work from Harry Cook allowed him to deliver to ex-Redbridge striker Jack West whose volley inside the six yard box was somehow saved by Elliott Justham.

A good move in midfield presented Redbridge with their first chance of the game when Jonathan Glowacki threaded a ball through to Sheppard.

The 17 year old fed the ball through to fellow teenager Fraser-Allen who drove a first time shot from a tight angle from the edge of the box narrowly over the bar.

Just as the game seemed to be going in tied at the break, a long ball from the back was flicked into McLeod’s path up front. Redbridge's talisman skilfully held of his marker before rounding James Marrable in goal before slotting the ball into the empty net. It was a clinical finish from the ex-Football League star.

The second half started with a bang, which saw Redbridge denied a goal on two occasions inside the opening two minutes of the half. First good play in midfield saw Fraser-Allen through on goal only for Marrable to block his effort. Sheppard was first to get to the rebound but somehow Tilbury's Deniz Harmanci managed to clear the ball of the line forcing a corner.

From the resulting corner, it was deja-vu for Redbridg as after Sheppard won an initial header, this time it was Sean Crossley who saw a shot on the turn cleared of the line. It was dreadfully unlucky for the boys in what would have been the ideal start to the half for Brown's men.

As Tilbury tried to recover from their poor start to the half, Redbridge still had control of the game and their midfield was working tirelessly. Shane Stamp was next to test Marrable - who incidentally played for the Motormen last season - but saw his shot from outside of the box saved after being set up by Hyun-Jin Lee.

Tilbury in truth were not threatening much and Redbridge looked comfortable despite Kris Taylor blasting over inside the box. With 15 minutes to go they had a great chance to double their lead and put the game to bed.

Good play again in midfield on the break left Tilbury caught out at the back with Sheppard on the ball gunning down in goal. With only Tilbury centre half Sam West tracking back, Sheppard decided to go for goal himself instead of rolling the ball across to McLeod and Stamp who would have had a simply tap in.

Unfortunately for Sheppard his shot was dragged wide of goal, much to the frustration of the youngster and his team mates. Perhaps it was down to inexperience on the striker's account, but it was to prove to be a pivotal turning point in the game.

With five minutes left the visitors began to sniff a chance of an equaliser. A good run by Jack West saw his eventual shot deflected by Sean Crossley for a corner

From the resulting corner, Elliott Justham appeared to have taken a routine catch only for the ball to kindly fall to Tilbury's sub Manlee Brown who simnply tapped the ball in.

It was harsh on Redbridge who appeared to have done just enough to win the game based on their positive performance on the night.

Next up for Brown and his men is a trip to Cricklefields to face relegation-rivals Waltham Forest in what will be a great chance for the boys to bounce back and get a win that will move them further away from the Stags.

Redbridge: Elliott Justham, Kevin Coyle, Tom Stephen, Jonathan Glowacki, Sean Crossley, Glen Golby, Shane Stamp, Hyun-Jin Lee, Kane Sheppard (Julian Edwards 85), Kevin McLeod, Kyle Fraser-Allen (Alexander O'Leary 85).

I caught up with our manager Jody Brown after the game and and found out his take on the result. To download and hear the interview go to http://www.mediafire.com/?3pi2sflb8okrjpy.