Bromley suffered their third National League defeat in a row against a well drilled Braintree side managed by Danny Cowley who had won his previous two games against The Ravens at Hayes Lane in his time at Concord Rangers.

Bromley got off to a lively start with Antony Cook and Alex Wall going close early on, The Iron settled and battled their way back into things with Simeon Akinola forcing two saves from Alan Julian.

Braintree looked dangerous on the break, especially down the left wing and their pressure told on 23 minutes when Julian saved from Daniel Sparkes’ header only for the ball to be returned across the six yard box to the unmarked player, who rolled the ball home unmarked with the home defence static.

A slip by Ugo Udoji soon after let in Kenny Davis who forced another great save from Julian, before The Ravens finally settled back down.

Brad Goldberg hit the post from 20 yards, Cook went close and the half finished with a series of Bromley corners, but a late penalty shout for handball was turned down for an initial push.

The second half saw Braintree make the early running and they were 2-0 up after 48 minutes when Julian made a double save from Davis only for Akinola to acrobatically turn in the third chance with the home defence once unable to clear their lines.

Akinola went close again soon after before Bromley finally mounted a response. Wall blazed over from distance before Moses Emmanuel lit up the game with a piece of subline skill latching on to a loose ball and leaving the defence standing before chipping the ball over the advancing Will Norris and into the net on 67 minutes.

Cook went close with a free kick and then had the best chance to equalise when Wall and Goldberg combined to set him up, but the lively winger hit Norris’ legs when one on one.

Bromley battled hard late on with Emmanuel forcing two saves from Norris and with desperation creeping in Cook was booked for diving as he went to ground under pressure in the box.

Irons Akinola had the final chance of the game but Julian made another good stop to keep the deficit down on a frustrating night for the home side.

Bromley now travel to bottom side Halifax on Saturday needing to find their feet at this level very quickly or face a season of struggle.

Bromley: Julian, Udoji (Dennis 84), Anderson, Holland, Francis, Emmanuel, Fuseini, Prestedge (Porter 57), Cook, Goldberg, Wall (Dubois 84).

Subs Not Used: Davies, May.

Braintree: Norris, Clerima, Phillips, Davis, Habergham, Liston, Woodyard, Paine, Sparkes (Marks 75), Chedozie (Isaac 59), Akinola (Brundle 95).

Subs Not Used: Miles, Cheek.

HT 0-1 FT 1-2

Goals: Bromley – Emmanuel 67mins. Braintree – Sparkes 23, Akinola 48mins.

Att:

Ref: Mr C Powell