Bromley suffered their first loss in seven games at home to Maidenhead on Tuesday night thanks to a dramatic five goal first half and a display of solid defending from the visitors in the second.
In an open start to the game both sides pushed forward and it was The Ravens who took the lead on 10 minutes when Frankie Raymond and Josh Rees combines to set up Luke Wanadio who powered the ball past Carl Pentney for 1-0.
The lead only lasted seven minutes though, former Bromley striker Moses Emmanuel had a shot saved by David Gregory before Adrian Clifton headed home a Harry Pritchard corner to equalise.
Four minutes later The Magpies took the lead when Emmanuel set up Pritchard who ran into Daniel Johnson and was awarded a penalty. Pritchard emphatically converted the penalty to put Alan Devonshire’s side in front.
Bromley came straight back into the game though, stringing together a great passing move which eventually saw Rees hit a fantastic finish past Pentney from the edge of the box.
Bromley had a strong spell from there, Wanadio crossed for Louis Dennis who flicked the ball just wide and then Jordan Higgs shot narrowly wide from just outside the box. Maidenhead though grabbed the lead again just after the half hour, when Emmanuel set up Clifton who powered his shot past Gregory to make it 2-3 on 34 minutes.
Going into the break Pricthard had a long range effort saved by Gregory, but the match looked to be up for grabs.
The second half saw Maidenhead start quickly with Emmanuel denied by Gregory, but then Bromley had a good spell of pressure.
Dennis had a shot deflected wide and the striker then set up Adam Mekki whose shot was saved by Pentney. The visitors defence stood resolute to The Ravens pressure and then started to come back into things, Clifton was denied by a brave challenge from Tyrone Sterling, Pritchard fired wide and Clifton then combined with Emmanuel who was was thwarted by Gregory when one on one.
The Ravens pressed again late on, Wanadio crossed for Dennis who headed wide before Mekki hit a dipping powerful effort that grazed the outside of the post.
In injury time sub George Porter was sent off for a foul which Referee O’Donnell deemed worthy of a straight red card after he dived into a challenge following what looked to be an equally poor challenge on the Bromley player.
His dismissal may well rule him out of the FA Cup tie at Rochdale in ten days. Then with everyone pushed up for a free kick, which was cleared, Gregory was yellow carded for a foul on Clifton as he desperately tried to get back to his goal.
All in all a slightly farcical end to a thoroughly entertaining game, which Maidenhead did well to win despite the second half Bromley pressure.
Neil Smith’s men now travel to Boreham Wood on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways.
Bromley: Gregory, Dunne (Wynter 80), Sterling, Holland, D Johnson, Raymond (Porter 63), Higgs (Sutherland 55), Rees, Wanadio, Mekki, Dennis.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Campbell.
Maidenhead: Pentney, Clerima, Massey, Inman, Emmanuel (Odamettey 84), Barratt, Pritchard (Mulley 90), Clifton, Upward, Kilman (Steer 50), Smith.
Subs Not Used: Hyde, Goodman.
Goals: Bromley – Wanadio 10, Rees 23mins. Maidenhead – Clifton 17pen & 35, Pritchard 21mins.
Att: 1,057
HT 2-3 FT 2-3
Ref: Mr C O’Donnell