It was a game that had everything with great goals, end to end play and a cruel blow at the end that unfortunately denied the Motormen a win from a game they should have won.

Shane Stamp who has impressed of late, was looking dangerous early on and he forced Harry Rickets in goal for the visitors into a save early on after a good run from midfield.

Abbey then seemed to grow in confidence and they had chances to take the lead. First the pacey Emmanuel Osei saw a low shot palmed away by Edward Wooten who did well to hold onto the ball. Moments after a good ball into the box saw Steve Cawley head over whilst Louis Bristow saw a freekick deflected narrowly wide with the resulting corner hacked clear in a congested penalty box.

Not long after that Jody Brown was forced into making an unplanned substitution up front when Christopher Benjemin making his second appearance for the club pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury on the halfway line.

It was to be a shame for Benjemin who had looked lively but his demise proved to be a blessing in disguise as it paved the way for one of the most remarkable performances of the season by a Redbridge player.

Despite having Manlee Brown on the bench, Brown decided to surprise everyone and bring on regular first choice goalkeeper Elliott Justham on to replace Benjemin. To those in the stand and to Abbey’s players and staff themselves, it looked a very strange decision to bring on your sub goalie.

But the decision proved to be an inspired one and Justham immediately made an impression leading the line winning seemingly everything in the air as well as holding the ball up well.

Justham’s introduction seemed to spark Redbridge back into life and after Wooten saved well to deny Bristow and Cawley, a brisk team move led to the Motormen going ahead with - you’ve guessed it – that man Justham scoring the goal.

A great move in midfield saw Lee Townrow spray the ball out wide to Luke Wilson. Wilson running from the back sent in a delicious volleyed cross into the box which Justham bravely headed in much to the delight of his team mates and the home fans.

It was some header by Justham who in scoring after barley being on the pitch 15 minutes had done what so few of his outfield team mates had done at home all season in getting a home goal. Credit to Wilson on his cross which was of the highest quality which enabled Redbridge to go into half-time ahead.

Much to the annoyance of the hosts, Abbey equalised two minutes after half time after Tom Stephen was adjudged to have brought down Osei inside the box. It looked like the forward may have made of the most of Stephen’s challenge, but the penalty was still given. Cawley stepped up to equalise with Wooten going the wrong way.

Amazingly Redbridge retook the lead two minutes later with a goal just as extraordinary in the circumstances as Justham’s opener. Nothing looked on for Redbridge when Abbey had the ball in front of their box, but after a mix-up when a pass hit the referee, the visitors were forced to lump the ball upfield.

The ball seemed to hang in the air for ages, allowing Lee Townrow the chance to chest the ball down before punting the ball goalwards. Townrow’s punt soared up in the air and aided perhaps by a friendly gust of wind, the ball spectacularly looped over Rickets and high into the net much to the amusement of Redbridge’s players, fans and staff.

Abbey to their credit pushed forward in an attempt to get a second equaliser and Osei again forced Wooten into another save. With space opening out in midfield, Redbridge began to take control in search of finding a third goal to kill the game off.

The Motormen should have had the game wrapped up not long after. With Kyle Fraser-Allen and Stamp making strides down their wings, Julian Edwards and Justham up front were linking up well.

After one exchange of passes inside the box, Abbey’s Ryan Maxwell upended Justham inside the box as the newly-formed striker was looking to hold the ball up and a penalty was given. Unluckily Townrow powerfully struck spot-kick thundered against the right hand post and away to safety with Ricketts well beaten.

A further chance to wrap the game up fell to the impressive Stamp, but frustratingly his one-on-one effort was saved by Ricketts. It was harsh on the youngster who could have easily slid the ball across for Julian Edwards or Justham to slide the ball home.

With time ticking away, Abbey made one last push and in the second minute of injury time, grabbed the goal that saw them grab a point. Cruley a pass got intercepted in midfield and a shot from the edge of the box smacked Sean Crossley straight in the face with Osei doing just about enough to smash the ball in under Wooten.

It was slightly harsh on the Motormen that they couldn’t hold on to end the season with a win and reward Jody Brown and Paul Abrahams more in their work in keeping the side up.

However it had been a good game of football that had been enjoyable to watch with both sides playing well and one that Redbridge fans will certainly remember for those two goals alone. Roll on next season!