The Blues started forward from the off and kept the Redbridge back four under pressure and a mis-kick from Joe Wright went straight to Harry Agombar who put the ball forward for Joe Sweeney to chest the ball to Leon McKenzie, but his hurried shot went harmlessly over the bar. With Grays still pushing David Cowley broke through and his one-two with Joao Carlos saw his shot fly just over, and the same again when Cowley released Kenny Beaney for his shot go the same way.

The away side looked shaky but found a way through for Mike Toner to shoot wide from a Jamie Haywood free kick. Sweeney found himself clear of the defence, but could not control the ball under pressure and the moment was cleared by Haywood. A lovely passing move between Cowley, Beaney and Danny Bunce found Sweeney in space only for Wright to pull off a fine save as Grays controlled the first half.

From a Grays corner Matt Turpin cleared long to Toner who ran and crossed for Ben Bradbury to hit his shot wide as Redbridge started to open out from defence. Bradbury had a weak shot held by Tony Tucker but redeemed himself when awarded a free-kick in front of the Blues goal and his perfectly hit shot floated and dipped over the wall to find the net to give Redbridge the lead midway through the half.

A midfield battle ensued as both sides tried to open the game and neither side could get control. Sweeney had a header held by Wright and a low shot by Haywood was smothered by Tucker as the half progressed and the keepers were increasingly busy. Grays went looking to level the game and Carlos saw his shot held by Wright and a Bunce shot was cleared on the line all to no avail. Nathan Gordon ran the length of the pitch to cross only for Bradbury to hit the ball over as the half drew to a close.

The Blues came out for the second half determined to get back into the game as they again moved forward from the whistle. An Agombar corner saw Sweeney head goal-ward for Wright and Turpin to clear the ball and a Cowley shot held by the away keeper in a frantic five minute spell as Baker saw his effort cleared by the Redbridge defence with Grays on top. The Blues looked to be running out of steam and the organised away defence started to close down the Grays forwards.

A strong run by Gordon and Bradbury found Grays stretched and the resultant cross was held by Tucker to ease the chance. Carlos thought he had levelled when a fast move saw Pope cross for the winger to put the ball into the net only to be ruled offside. Redbridge were starting to look more assured and closed down quickly to allow the Blues no time on the ball and stifle any move.

Louis Dennis came on for Sweeney to try to open the game, and his deft movement through the away defence saw a shot from Beaney to hit the post and run the line to be cleared from defence to disappoint all concerned. Anthony Ryan came on for Mckenzie as the away side started to control the half and as Grays struggled to put a run of passes together the situation was compounded by the dismissal of Beaney for his second yellow.

With the Blues pushing looking to find a way through a quick thinking move by Turpin hit the ball long for Bradbury to chest the ball into the path of Gordon for him to run past Paul Olima and slot the ball under Tucker to seal the result with Redbridge’s second goal. Grays could not get back into the game as every move was chased down by the Redbridge players to frustrate the Blues and run the game down to its conclusion and inflict another home defeat.

Grays Athletic: - Tony Tucker, Craig Pope, Junior Baker, Paul Olima, Danny Bunce, David Cowley (Stanley Muguo 85), Kenny Beaney, Harry Agombar, Joao Carlos, Leon McKenzie (Anthony Ryan 78), Joe Sweeney (Louis Dennis 72)

Subs not used: - Joe McEvoy, Jean-Michel Sigere.

Report by Steve Allen