Whyteleafe progressed to the first round proper of the FA Trophy after a hard-earned 2-1 victory at Redbridge.

In truth it was a disappointing spectacle with neither side able to produce much flowing football.

However, Whyteleafe deserved the narrow win to book a home tie against Southern Premier League Dunstable Town in the next round on November 1.

Redbridge ply their trade in the Ryman Division One North and currently sit 17th in the table having won four of their 15 league games.

Whyteleafe made one enforced change with the unavailable Roscoe D’Sane’s place being taken by Tom Pratt.

The game itself was a scrappy affair and the first half hour was punctuated by relentless offside flagging in favour of the home side from an over-zealous referee’s assistant.

Neither goalkeeper was troubled until the 36th minute when the stalemate was broken after Redbridge were awarded a disputed free kick.

Vinny Murphy’s opportunistic long range strike seemed to catch Sheik Ceesay flat-footed as the ball nestled in the corner of his near post.

On the stroke of half time, Alex Penfold danced his way to the by-line and pulled the ball back to Greg Andrews whose shot was deflected onto the underside of the bar, but Bentley Graham was on hand to ram the ball home via a defender’s flailing leg.

The second half was a marginally livelier affair - an early Andrews free kick just cleared the bar and then Dylan Merchant headed a corner inches wide of the back post.

At the other end, Ceesay pounced on a shot from Charlie Parrish at the second attempt just before the ball crossed the line.

However, the excitement was short lived and the game reverted back to tedium until the 74th minute when a moment of sheer class settled the match.

Redbridge’s Parrish was booked after upending Sam Clayton, and Jason Thompson perfectly curled the resulting free kick into the top corner past a helpless Jack Avery.

A full complimentary of substitutions by both sides and several bookings followed as the game turned rather tetchy.

Whyteleafe had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Liam Thomas took the lace out of the ball in the box.

Redbridge exerted some late pressure particularly from several crosses from the dangerous Chinedu McKenzie but the visiting defence held firm and saw out the five minutes of added on time.

Leafe return to league action tomorrow night (Tuesday) at Merstham, ahead of the visit of Hastings United on Saturday.

Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Patterson-Bonner, Penfold, Smith, Merchant, J Thompson, Clayton (Henry 80), Grant, Pratt (Lyle 63), Graham (E Thompson 63), Andrews.