Redbridge came out of the blocks well and pressed the hosts right from the off. Ben Bradbury saw an early curling-effort saved by Dereham’s keeper Andy Wilton before the powerful Emiel Aiken saw a shot on the turn from 20 yards go narrowly wide of the far-post.

Dereham’s first chance of the game fell to their tall striker Shaun Bammant but the poacher could only head over after good work by Ryan Hawkins out-wide. It was a tough chance. Shortly later on 18 minutes Redbridge took the lead.

Good work in midfield saw Ben Bradbury receive the ball out-wide. The winger’s cross into the box wasn’t the best you’ll ever see, yet Dereham’s defence failed to read it properly which allowed Danny Francis time to scramble the ball home under Wilton. It was the ex-Tilbury striker’s first goal for the club and an important one at that.

Redbridge’s lead could have been doubled on the half-hour. After good pressing by Francis, Dereham’s keeper Wilton lost the ball to Bradbury just inside his area by the corner-flag. Bradbury held onto the ball well before aiming a delicate lob towards goal only for his shot to cleared off the line.

The Motormen’s keeper Dean Driscoll was forced into his first save just before the break when he kept out a Bammant effort, which would have crept just inside the far corner. All in all, Redbridge were well worth their lead at the break.

HT Dereham 0 Redbridge 1

Both sides made changes after the break. Nicky Howell came on for Dereham and the lively winger caused Redbridge problems. Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton brought on Dan Tomlin for the work-horse Aiken who had run well and truly run himself into the ground.

Captain Dan Smith almost grabbed his third goal of the season when he reacted quickest to a Bradbury free-kick. The left-back’s header was a good one but struck the inside of the post with the rebound being hacked away to safety.

At the back Redbridge were working hard off the ball, making it difficult for Dereham to break them down. Fine defending in his own six-yard box by Stephen Good denied Luke Tuttle a tap-in and a certain-goal at the far-post. Bostry Bansende, Liam Thomas and the skipper Smith were also making great interceptions too.

On the break Redbridge were looking dangerous and a fine team move ended with Smith seeing a volley deflected-wide. From the resulting Bradbury corner, a flick-on from a Redbridge header fell perfectly for Francis who lashed home his second of the match, to all but wrap up the victory with 16 minutes remaining.

Under pressure Redbridge worked hard to see the game out to secure only their second away clean-sheet of the season, with Good even taking a knock to the head for his troubles after coming off worse after an aerial challenge.

Redbridge: Driscoll, Bansende, Smith, Good, Thomas, L Thompson, Bradbury, Carlile, A Thompson, Francis (Cook), Aiken (Tomlin)

Att: 199

Star Man: Danny Francis

Click here to listen to Adam Dennehey's post-match interview with joint-managers Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton directly after the game