Bromley 2-3 St Albans City

DESPITE two second half goals from Nic McDonnell, Bromley suffered another defeat at rain swept Hayes Lane on Saturday, going down by the odd goal in five to St Albans City.

The visitors started well and pinned Bromley back for long periods as Jonathan Hunt curled a shot just wide of the post.

Gary Cohen had a shot saved by Gareth Williams before they took the lead in the 30th minute when Williams could only palm a free-kick upwards and, as the ball dropped, Paul Hakim pounced for a simple tap in.

McDonnell should have had a penalty as half-time approached when he was clearly upended, but it failed to impress referee Mr Holderness.

The Saints continued to dominate following the restart and duly increased their lead on 54 minutes when Hakim was on hand again to convert after Williams had made an excellent block from Cohen.

Bromley reduced the arrears on the hour when Luke Thurlbourne slipped on the greasy surface to let Warren McBean in. McBean squared to McDonnell, who slid the ball home from close in.

Bromley might have equalised 10 minutes later when Ryan Hall’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Paul Bostock into the path of McBean, who fired against the far upright.

The Lillywhites were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes remaining after Mark Corneille was dismissed for his second yellow card offence and St Albans capitalised almost immediately when Cohen turned in a low cross to make it 3-1.

However, McDonnell grabbed his and Bromley’s second of the afternoon in the 90th minute with a mistimed header from Anthony Joseph’s cross to give the scoreline a somewhat flattering look.

Bromley: Williams, Corneille, Swaibu, Manuella (Robinson 46), Sobers, Gilman, I’Anson (Joseph 75), Murray, McBean, McDonnell, Hall. Subs not used: Norval, Obaze, Dolby. Att: 370.

Meanwhile, Loui Fazakerley has signed for near-neighbours Welling United following a seven-day approach from the Blue Square South rivals. Fazakerley joined Bromley from Bishop’s Stortford in the close season and has started fourteen of Bromley’s seventeen fixtures so far this season, scoring six goals.

Adam Everitt has also left Hayes Lane to join fellow Blue Square South side St Albans City.

Bromley’s Kent Senior Cup tie arranged for tomorrow has been postponed on account of Dartford having an FA Trophy replay. A new date has still to be arranged.

Bromley’s home Boxing Day Blue Square South fixture against Welling United will kick-off at 1pm.