The early stages belonged to the visitors. Aaron Eyoma was the first to threaten, firing a shot wide of the target, before Redbridge thought they had taken the lead when Darren Esuka headed home — only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following the assistant’s raised flag.

Redbridge gradually grew into the contest, with much of their best work coming through Malachi Napa, whose movement caused problems for the Abbey defence. Despite this, it was the away side who looked more dangerous as the half drew to a close. Good work down the left from Ibityo Oyebola produced a cross that fell kindly to Amrot Bansal-McNulty, but from close range he fired over when he should have at least hit the target.

Waltham Abbey almost struck immediately after the restart, Oyebola cutting inside before shooting off target. Redbridge responded with Pedro Carvalho sending an effort just wide of the upright.

The hosts then had two golden opportunities to break the deadlock, both falling to Napa. Normally so calm and reliable in front of goal, he hurried his finishes on both occasions, blasting over the crossbar — chances that went begging.

Abbey finished the stronger of the two sides, pushing hard in the final ten minutes. Kai Brown went close with a curling effort that drifted wide after meeting a cross, as the visitors searched for a late winner. However, it was Redbridge who nearly stole all three points at the death when a corner resulted in a goal-bound header that was dramatically cleared off the line.

In the end, neither side could find the breakthrough, and the match finished goalless, a hard-fought stalemate to start the new year.

report by Adam Silver