St Albans City Reserves bowed out of the Presidents Cup in sensational fashion at Clarence Park on Monday as Redbridge won a dramatic penalty shoot-out 6-5 after the two sides had fought out a thrilling 4-4 draw during normal time.

City looked destined for a place in the Second Round after twice building a three-goal lead but despite falling so far behind Redbridge were on top for much of the game and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Fresh from his fine performance for the First team at the weekend Michael Emery was soon in the thick of the action as he stretched to make a spectacular tip over from Bradley Ross.

Five minutes later, the 16th, St Albans opened the scoring when Craig Mortimer struck a superb right-footed free kick from 25 yards high to the right of keeper Mason Durrell and into the top corner of the Hatfield Road goal.

The Saints second goal on 28 minutes was equally stunning. Debut-making left-back Pete Smith set off on a scintillating run down the wing that saw him evade three tackles before crossing low into the middle for Lamine Sagna to sweep the ball home from close in.

Three minutes later Sagna kept the thrills coming with another memorable effort. After stepping inside one challenge the City striker struck a powerful right-footed shot from 20-yards that Mason barely saw as it went at some speed across him and into the goal via the inside of the keepers right hand upright.

Not to be outdone in the spectacular goal stakes Redbridge reduced the deficit to 3-1 with one of their own on 39 minutes when Ade Cole beat Emery with a scorching drive from well outside the penalty area that clipped the keepers fingers on its way into the York Road goal.

Within five minutes of the restart Redbridge had two good chances to get fully back into contention through Ross but after having his first effort well saved by Emery the striker lifted his next attempt well over the target.

Redbridge continued to press forward but were caught out when Smith won the ball with a strong tackle on the left flank and switched the play for Sagna to race away and complete his hat-trick with a shot that took a slight deflection off defender John Chipperfield.

Still Redbridge refused to lie down and shortly after Mo Habu rattled the crossbar with a header Ross was rewarded for his persistence, on 72 minutes, when sliding the visitors second goal past Emery.

Boosted by that goal Redbridge strove hard to save the tie but both Ross and Habu missed good chances and Emery made another important save from Danny O’Connor.

But just when it appeared that City had seen off Redbridge’s impressive fight back the Essex side closed the gap when Charlie Georgiou beat Emery with an exquisite finish on 88 minutes and deep into added time Redbridge skipper Chipperfield scored a thoroughly deserved equaliser with a downward header following a corner.

Emery, booked in added time after shoving Ross, saved Redbridge’s first penalty and scored City’s first. The visitors then scored from all of their next six spot kicks and went through as Mortimer and Ross Dedman were off target for the Saints.

It was a suitably dramatic end to an absorbing contest.

St Albans City Reserves: M.Emery, B.Adams, P.Smith (D.Thompson 70), R.Magwood (S.Collins 56), J.Lamonaca, R.Dedman, J.Ashcroft, T.James, L.Sagna, C.Mortimer, D.Johnson (A.Chaves 46), subs; E.Pascoal, T.Brown.

Redbridge Reserves: M.Durrell, H.Haley (H.Kpaka 72), J.Chipperfield, L.Hall (S.Adams 56), M.Habu, T.Laxton, A.Cole, D.O’Connor, B.Ross, A.Read (C.Georgiou 41), M.Gillingham, subs; M.Ward.

St Albans City Penalties – scored; Emery, James, Sagna, Chaves. Missed; Mortimer, Dedman.

Redbridge Penalties – scored; Habu, Ross, Adams, Laxton, O’Connor, Georgiou. Missed; Gillingham.

Booked: Mortimer, Emery.

Referee: David Axcell (Leigh-on-Sea).