HALSTEAD Town were beaten 2-0 at high-flying Redbridge in the Essex Senior League, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs will reflect on a good performance in which chances were created against a very good side.

The visitors made one change to the starting XI, with Ben Morris replacing the suspended Jake Brown and included youngster Harry Jacobs on the bench for the first time.

Halstead made a promising start and forced a few early corners but the only moment of note during that spell was Alfie Cleal’s effort from the edge of the box straight at home keeper Connor Wheatley.

After that initial pressure from the visitors play evened out although Joel Older fired straight at Wheatley for the Humbugs.

The momentum took a swing after the quarter of an hour mark towards the hosts and Jordan Palmer did superbly to clear off his line following a scramble in the visitors box.

This spurred on the Motormen and on 20 minutes, everyone was scratching their heads as to how they hadn’t gone in front.

Halstead keeper Jack Cherry saved well from George Purcell and Bradley Bennett smashed the rebound against the upright.

The ball then fell to Purcell who hit his shot against the bar, a lucky escape for Halstead.

Abs Thompson was becoming more prominent on the right-hand side for Redbridge and within the space of a few minutes he hit the side netting from close range and then fired wide, after cutting in off the wing.

Cherry then denied Jerold Cobblah before the home pressure finally produced a goal.

Jamie Price converted from a corner for his second of the season and a goal that Redbridge deserved on balance of play.

Redbridge almost added another just before half-time but the effort went wide and Halstead made a change early in the second half with Jacobs on for his debut.

He was part of a positive start to the half for the visitors, with Palmer's effort from the edge of the box went wide, before Jordan Blackwell volleyed just past the post.

Redbridge then created their own chances and Purcell went close twice in as many minutes with a header off target and then an effort brilliantly saved by Cherry.

Cherry then superbly denied Jamie Price but the Halstead keeper was unable to do anything to deny Redbridge a second on 63 minutes when James Barlow lifted the ball over the keeper.

Halstead almost reduced the arrears immediately but Palmer’s header went just wide while Older’s free-kick hit a post after a fingertip touch from the home keeper.

There was late pressure from Halstead as they tried to get something out of the game with Redbridge clearing their lines from a corner when it seemed as if the Humbugs should score.

And minutes later substitute Joe Vogler hit the crossbar with a cross, with Wheatley struggling.

But the Motormen claimed a tenth consecutive league clean sheet, to continue their title challenge.