Despite racing into a two goal lead after just three minutes Bromley lost their first National League home game since August on Tuesday night conceding three goals in the second half and losing captain Byron Webster to a red card in a dramatic incident packed match at Hayes Lane.  

Andy Woodman had initially named an unchanged side from Saturday, but just before kick off Ben Krauhaus came in for Lewis Leigh and Jude Arthurs took his place on the bench.

The Ravens got off to the perfect start when a long ball upfield found Louis Dennis who chipped the ball over Jordi Van Strappershoef from outside the area to put Bromley in front on 2 minutes.

Less than a minute later it was 2-0 when Callum Reynolds found Michael Cheek with a long pass from the halfway line and Cheek coolly slotted the ball past Van Strappershoef low into the far corner of the net from just inside the box.

The frantic pace slowed from there, but both sides had chances with Joshua Stokes firing over for The Shots and Dennis again lobbing Van Strappershoef, but this time his effort went narrowly over.

Bromley had another strong spell of pressure going into the break, Dennis had a shot saved by the feet of Van Strappershoef and then the mercurial Bromley forward robbed Cian Harries of the ball out on the right and cut in before curling his effort just wide of the far post.

The second half saw Aldershot make a bright start, Aaron Jones had a shot saved by Grant Smith and after the solid Josh Passley had just been taken off, the visitors’ efforts were rewarded on 58 minutes when a cross from the right was turned home by Jack Barham at the near post to make it 2-1.

With The Shots now doing the majority of the pressing, Callum Reynolds made two vital blocks to deny Barham and Lorent Tolaj, while at the other end Besart Topalloj had a shot saved following a scramble in the area from a free kick.

Coby Rowe was booked for the foul leading to the free kick and was lucky not to have had a yellow in the first half for a blatant shove on Dennis, a decision that would prove to be key later on.

Bromley then had a period of pressure with a series of corners, one of which ended with Sam Woods turning the ball narrowly wide from close range.

Webster made a great block to deny Jones before play was halted for an injury to one of the Linesman. Once the game got going again Aldershot were soon level when Tolaj received the ball with his back to goal twenty yards out and turned sharply before sending a low well placed effort past a flat footed Smith and into the corner of the net for 2-2.

Rowe headed just wide soon after, before The Shots were handed an advantage when Webster caught Kwarme Thomas off the ball and was sent off by Referee Durkin, the Bromley captain seemingly angered by a previous clash between the two players some moments earlier and losing his head.

Aldershot took the initiative from there, Harries was denied by Smith and Barham headed over a Harfield cross.

With fifteen minutes of added on time indicated the visitors looked to make their numerical advantage count and stretch The Ravens, Tolaj fired wide, before Topalloj broke upfield and shot wide on a rare break for Bromley.

Deep into the extra minutes The Shots finally grabbed their winning goal when Stokes cross from the right was powerfully headed home by Rowe to make it 2-3 and secure all three points for Tommy Widdrington’s team. 

Despite the loss Bromley remain third in the table ahead of their long trip to Hartlepool Utd on Saturday, although they will be without Webster and with Chin Okoli & Alex Kirk injured, Woodman may regret sending Cole Kpekawa out on loan last week.               

Bromley: Smith, Passley (Miller 57), Webster, Reynolds, Elerewe, Whitely, Krauhaus, Vennings (Woods 60), Dennis (Arthurs 83), Cheek.

Subs Not Used: Taylor-Hart, Olomola. 

Aldershot: Van Strappershoef, Harfield, Harries, Stokes, Rowe, Frost (Haigh 72), Willard (Thomas 71), Jones, Barham, Glover (Tetek 98), Tolaj.

Subs Not Used: Mullins, Turner.  

Goals; BFC – Dennis 2, Cheek 3mins. ATFC – Barham 58, Tolaj 73, Rowe 103mins.

Att: 2,109

HT 2-0 FT 2-3 

Referee: Mr Durkin