Paul Shave was sent off for Redbridge in last night's 1-0 win over Potters Bar Town. Pic: AM Soul Images

Ryman League Cup Second Round: Redbridge 1 Potters Bar Town 0

Struggling Redbridge managed to record their first win in 10 competitive games against high flying Potters Bar Town thanks to a sublime finish from Jacob Cleaver to send them into the next round of the Ryman League Cup last night.

In a well-contested match with not many clear cut chances Redbridge managed to secure a hard fought 1-0 win despite Potters Bar bombarding the hosts backline.

It was Potters Bar who started the game looking livelier as they played the ball around freely but with no real final threat, with the first goal scoring opportunity falling to the away side in the 35th minute.

An attacking move down the left hand side saw the Redbridge defence opened up as it fell to a Scholars striker but Shane Lemard heroically put his body on the line to block the shot.

From the resulting corner Redbridge’s Michael Bowditch was forced into his first real testing save of the night.

The ball landed at Serge Manesio’s feet and the forward bent one towards the top right hand corner, but Bowditch managed to pull out a great save to tip it around the post.

It was still the visitors who were creating the early chances in the second period as they forced Bowditch into action again in the 50th minute.

After a well-worked move Chris Doyle’s shot was just tipped over the bar by the former Hornchurch goalkeeper.

Two minutes later the home side’s chances took a huge blow when Paul Shave and Andrew Manitou had a coming together with ended in what seemed like both players scrapping on the floor.

After consulting with his linesmen, referee Mr M Foley sent off the midfielder Shave for violent conduct.

On the 59th minute the Potters came close again as Manesio was put through one-on-one with Bowditch, but yet again the Redbridge keeper stood strong and made himself big to keep out another chance.

However in the 63rd minute with Redbridge down to 10 men and having to withstand heavy pressure, they managed to hit Potters Bar on the counter.

Cleaver was put through on goal after pouncing on a mistake from Manitou and the forward cut inside and superbly bent the ball into the top right corner.

Potters Bar were camped in the Redbridge defence but never had any real threat for the remainder of the game as they managed to see out the rest of the match to see them through to the next round of the cup.

Redbridge: Bowditch, Hayes, McDonald, Lemard (Watson), Beale, Skerritt, Osei-Tion (Ikumelo), Shave, Newton, Cleaver, Asamoah (Tissen).

Unused substitutes: Portway, Avery.