With Bowers & Pitsea failing to win at Newmarket, the Motormen knew that victory would be enough — but they made their supporters suffer every possible emotion before finally getting over the line.

The afternoon almost unravelled within 20 seconds. Concord’s Kristopher Oti met a low cross with a firm first‑time effort, only for goalkeeper Jake Anderson to produce a sharp stop that prevented a nightmare opening.

Redbridge looked nervy in possession in the early exchanges, repeatedly giving the ball away as the tension of the occasion weighed heavily.

Their first meaningful moment came when Karl Kayembe cut inside past two defenders and found space for a shot, though he dragged the effort wide.

The nerves eased when a cross from the right found Kayembe completely free at the far post. He steadied himself and fired home, giving the Motormen the perfect platform.

Moments later, Pedro Carvalho saw a goalbound strike blocked by a defender as Redbridge pushed for a second.

But the lead didn’t last. A speculative shot from distance proved too hot for Jake Anderson to hold; in the scramble to recover, he could only push the ball over his own line. A cruel equaliser, and the tension returned.

Redbridge responded well. Louie Remi showed excellent close control before unleashing a rising effort that was tipped over brilliantly by Concord keeper Charlie Brown.

From the resulting corner, Redbridge restored their advantage. A slick passing move ended with Charles Brown Bampoe guiding the ball into the net, sparking renewed belief around the ground.

The Motormen finished the half on top, with several shots blocked as they searched for a cushion that never came.

Redbridge came out for the second period brightly. Brown Bampoe’s shot was blocked and fell kindly to Carvalho, who curled just over from the edge of the box.

Concord struck back in spectacular fashion. A looping cross into the box was met by an acrobatic overhead kick from Oti, the ball flying beyond Anderson’s dive. A stunning equaliser, and suddenly the momentum shifted.

Remi then chose to shoot from a tight angle rather than square to a teammate, his effort comfortably saved.

Anderson had another heart‑in‑mouth moment when a low shot slipped through his hands, but he recovered at the second attempt.

Redbridge pushed again. A Remi header looked destined to drop in before Brown clawed it away, with a defender then slicing the clearance over his own bar.

A hammer blow arrived when the ball fell kindly to a Concord attacker on the edge of the box. His composed finish beat Anderson and turned the match on its head. The visitors, buoyed by the goal, began to knock the ball around confidently as Redbridge wobbled.

But the Motormen refused to fold. Olukoga powered down the left, driving past his marker before delivering a perfect low cross. Kayembe arrived to steer home his second of the afternoon, levelling the match once more and reigniting the home crowd.

Remi’s dangerous cross forced another corner, while at the other end Bowers & Pitsea’s lack of chances filtered through the stands, raising hope further.

Brown Bampoe was halted by a whistle everyone assumed was for offside — only for play to continue, the chance gone.

As the clock ticked into injury time, Brown Bampoe unleashed a long‑range strike that dipped agonisingly over the bar. It felt like the final chance.

It wasn’t as in the dying seconds, substitute Daren Esuka reacted quickest inside the box, pouncing on a loose ball and firing home. The stadium erupted. Players sprinted to the corner. Fans roared. The bench emptied. It was the moment that sealed the Motormen’s place in the play‑offs.

report by Adam Silver