Redbridge made the long trip up the A12 to meet the Seasiders of FC Clacton in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Vase.

The home side had already disposed of ESL side Southend Manor in the previous round whilst the Motormen were playing their first tie in this season's competition after receiving a bye in the previous round.

Redbridge started quickly out of the blocks creating an opening within the first sixty seconds as Kane Hearn lifted the ball over the defence into the path of Taylor Tombides who was denied by Joe Fowler in the home goal.

From the resulting corner he was called upon again this time to thwart Daniel Gilchrist with a smart save at his near post.

It was a fast paced start from the away side however they had to be awake when a free kick was whipped in requiring a hand from Florent Gislette to push the ball onto the crossbar and away for a corner was whipped in thumping against a post.

Tombides was then involved at the other end as he squared the ball into the path of Abiola but the full back lifted his effort high over the bar.

Tombides himself then twisted and turned a defender before shooting just wide of the upright.

Redbridge were on top and should have scored when Gilchrist fed Tombides who rounded the keeper and shot from a wide position but not for the first time this afternoon the post denied a goal before Gilchrist lifted the rebound over.

Redbridge were then forced into two early substitutions through injury as first goalkeeper Gislette was replaced by George Martin before their talisman Tombides made way for Sam Dickens.

Martin was called upon straight away to make stops from Jordan Lartey and Billy Wales before the post yet again denied Redbridge a goal as Gilchrist raced onto a long goal kick beating Fowler to the ball only to see it bounce back off a post and away to safety for Clacton.

Redbridge could not believe they were not ahead in the match and were shocked to then concede a goal just before half time as Martin saved a shot only for Callum Griffith to knock home the rebound to give his side the lead against the run of play.

The second half began with Lartey skimming the crossbar with an effort before Clowsley put daylight between the two sides as he beat the offside trap and slotted home past Martin.

Redbridge needed a goal if they were going to get back in this game and they got it when Abiola found Hearn who did well to turn a defender and get a shot in which squeezed past Fowler to give hopes of a comeback.

Griffith was prevented from grabbing his second of the game as Martin did well to save with his legs however he would have been disappointed to concede a third when the ball was hooked back into the area finding the head of Lartey who connected well and although the keeper got both hands on the ball it proved too hot to handle and he dropped it over the line.

Dickens almost grabbed another goal back for Redbridge as he met Abiola's cross with a thumping header which beat Fowler but again came back off a post.

Redbridge were then reduced to ten men temporarily as captain Liam Burgess was sin binned for talking back to the referee and with the away side pushing forward for a goal it left themselves open at the back as Clacton had several chances to wrap the game up which they finally did in added time as Harry McDonald scored from close range.

Full time was blown on a frustrating afternoon for the Motormen who had more than enough chances to have won two matches however Clacton did well to take their chances and progress to the next round.

report by Adam Silver