Leading 2-0 after 55 minutes, Bromley looked set to make progress in the world’s oldest cup competition, but then somehow managed to concede four against a struggling side who played with an injured goalkeeper for the majority of the match.

The Ravens started well, but it was the home side who had the best early chance when Chez Isaac hit a fierce drive which Alan Julian parried back to The Iron midfielder who then blazed the ball over.

Blair Turgott, who was at the heart of all that Bromley did well, had a shot saved by Will Puddy and after a spell of corners Reece Prestedge saw his goal bound effort hooked away by Sam Corne.

Puddy then saved bravely at the feet of Tobi Sho-Silva and was injured in the process, struggling on for the rest of the game in clear discomfort.

Former Wolves defender George Elokobi marshalled the home side’s defence well, but he didn’t help his keeper with a couple of back passes that he just dealt with clearing them for throw ons.

As Bromley pressed Braintree Turgott had a shot which appeared to hit Elokobi on the hand, but Referee Hicks waved the appeals away.

As The Ravens continued to press Sho-Silva headed a corner over and Puddy was lucky to escape punishment when dropping a cross which was hacked away off the line. Braintree still created chances and they went close when Sam Matthews hit a low shot which Julian palmed away.

Late on Joe Anderson hit the post and Rob Swaine headed over another set piece, before in injury time Adam Cunnington won the ball from a goal kick and played in Turgott who drew Puddy out of his goal before blasting the ball high into the top corner of the net to give Neil Smith’s side the lead at the break.

Bromley started the second half well, Dave Martin drove into the box and had a low effort saved by Puddy at the foot of the post before they went two up when Turgott burst into the box and hit a powerful shot which Puddy got a hand to, but as the ball carried on towards the goal Elokobi sliced it into his own net as he attempted to clear.

Jordan Higgs went close soon after, but then The Iron were given a way back into the game on 55 minutes when a poorly cleared set piece fell to Michael Cheek who took his chance well to pull it back to 2-1.

Braintree started to press and looked the better side from then on, Corne had an effort saved by Julian, before Higgs was replaced by Lee Minshull in the Bromley midfield which left The ravens short of pace and legs in a key area.

At the midpoint in the half Bromley were caught on the break with a run up the left which eventually fell to Isaac who was given time and space to line up a powerful shot which Julian could only tip into the roof of the net to level the scores.

From there it was all Braintree, with every ball into the box causing chaos and they took the lead on 72 minutes when Cheek notched his second converting from close range as they walked through the Bromley defence.

Late on Brad Goldberg hit the side netting after combining well with Turgott, but that was all The Ravens could muster and The Iron then made it 4-2 in injury time when Harry Lee scored with a low driven free kick from 30 yards past a stranded Julian with his defence awol.

Turgott hit the bar just before the final whistle, but the game was over by then as Hakin Hanyretin’s team deservedly progressed thorough to the first round, with a courageous display from Puddy in the home goal worthy of a man of the match award.

The financial ramifications for yet another early cup exit for Bromley remain to be seen, but the expressions on the club official faces at full time told the story. Smith will now have to lift his side before their trip to Wrexham next Saturday.

Braintree: Puddy, Williams, Okimo, Gayle, Elokobi, Lee, Isaac (Midson 83), Matthews, Corne (Maybanks 64), Akinola, Cheek (Barnard 90).

Subs Not Used: Ashton, Goodship, Hall-Johnson, Cowgill.

Bromley: Julian, Howe, Anderson, Swaine, Johnson, Higgs (Minshull 60), Prestedge (Goldberg 76), Martin, Cunnington, Turgott, Sho-Silva (Ajakaiye 72).

Subs Not Used: Hixter, Stanic, Dymond, Holland.

Goals: Braintree: Cheek 51 & 72, Isaac 69, Lee 90mins. Bromley: Turgott 45, Elokobi OG 51mins.

Ref: Mr C Hicks