Braintree 3 v 1 Bromley

Ryman Premier

FOR 90 minutes Bromley matched their high-flying opponents and looked to have secured a draw before conceding two heart-breaking goals in injury time, writes Patrick Harris.

The manner of the defeat in north Essex and made the long trip back with nothing a despairing one as the Lillywhites extended their winless run to nine games.

Bromley are still 16th in the division while Braintree are top on goal difference with Saturday's visitors to Hayes Lane, Walton and Hersham, sitting in fifth.

Bromley lined up in 4-5-1 formation with the returning Mark Tompkins ploughing a lone furrow in attack, a role in which the veteran performed tirelessly for the whole game.

The Lillywhites' bad luck with injuries continued when Adam Locke had to go off almost immediately after kick off and was replaced by Gary Drewett.

Braintree had the most possession and pushed Bromley back for long periods but their closest efforts came when Matty Joseph shot wide, James Baker shot over and Andy Walker made a good save from Alex Revell.

Former Bromley centre-back Ollie Adedji was imperious at the back for Braintree and gave nothing away while Joe Vines and Tutu Henriques performed similar feats for George Wakeling's men.

Bromley did look promising on the counter attack and it was from one of these on 41 minutes they grabbed a lead.

After a corner was cleared the ball came back to Danny Carroll who calmly ran into the box before slotting the ball low past Nick Morgan from 10 yards.

Braintree manager George Borg made two half-time substitutions and they changed to a more attacking formation in the second half instantly putting Bromley under more pressure.

Within two minutes of the restart Baker ran through The Lillywhites' defence to smash the ball home for 1-1.

Bromley still created the odd chance and following a great run by Gary Drewett, Colin Luckett hit a free-kick just wide.

Walker made another good save from Revell while Adedji stopped Carroll in his tracks with a trademark saving challenge.

The game flowed for a while with Baker shooting wide for Town and Morgan saved from Drewett.

As the clock ticked into injury time Bromley appeared to have earned a point but disaster struck when Henriques lost the ball in midfield and a high ball into the box was headed home by Matti Joseph at the far post.

The Lillywhites looked crest fallen and straight from the kick-off they lost possession too easily and Baker ran through the defence un-challenged before hammering the ball past Walker right on full time.

Bromley: Walker; McLeod; Luckett; Vines; Henriques; Gardner; Locke (Drewett, 9); Boateng; Carew; Carroll; Tompkins.

Subs not used: Awuah; Parker; Marino.