Bromley slipped to their second consecutive League Two defeat with an under par performance at home to Salford City at Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon ending any lingering hopes of a late play off bid.
Celebrating four years in charge of the team manager Andy Woodman made a some changes to his starting eleven with Danny Imray, Omar Sowunmi and Camerrn Congreve coming in to the side from last weeks loss at Carlisle Utd, playing a 4-5-1 formation.
In front of a good crowd in sunny conditions Bromley got off to a lively start, Corey Whitely enjoying playing further forward and Danny Imray causing Salford problems down the right.
The Ravens went close when Michael Cheek headed a Jude Arthurs corner over early on, but they did go in front after only 8 minutes when Arthurs played a dangerous ball across goal and Ossama Ashley turned it into his own net in off the far post.
Bromley’s lead did not last long though as with their first attack Salford drew level when Ashley played a great pass through the home defence to Cole Stockton and he produced a good finish to beat Grant Smith and make it 1-1 on 16 minutes.
Bromley pressed again from there, Arthurs fired wide and Adam Mayor had an effort saved by Matthew Young in The Reds’ goal. Imray was hit late by Luke Garbutt when crossing the ball and left in a heap by the advertising boards, which went unnoticed by the officials and it wasn’t the last time he was signalled out for treatment.
Salford went in front after 25 minutes when they exploited the space between Byron Webster and Mayor on the left again, Ben Woodburn and Haji Mnoga combining to set up Kelly NMai to make it 2-1 to Karl Robinson’s side.
The Ravens had a good chance to draw level when Cheek set up Whitey, but he fired his shot wide when well placed and the visitors lead at the break
The second half saw Salford start on top and Woodman made two changes on the hour in an attempt to freshen things up for the home side, but it had little effect. City went 3-1 up on 61 minutes when former Bromley loanee Mnoga played in Stockton in the gaping whole between Webster and Mayor again and the striker smashed the ball home past Smith to double their lead.
Woodman made more changes on 70 minutes and put a second forward on and Bromley pulled a goal back on 74 minutes when Ashley Charles’ corner came out to Cheek who volleyed home from the edge of the area in spectacular fashion for 2-3.
Idris Odutayo then played in Harry McKirdy who shot over and McKirdy then set up Brooklyn Ilunga who curled the ball narrowly wide from just inside the area.
After a quiet spell, a late rally saw Bromley press for an equaliser, Charles having a shot saved by Young and then a long ball up field from Smith found Imray who fired wide across goal, but in the end Bromley were unable to make up for their defensive frailties and Salford picked up the three points.
The Ravens slipped to thirteenth ahead of their trip to Newport County on Tuesday night, hoping to halt a run of four games without a win.
Bromley: Smith, Grant (McKirdy 60), Sowunmi, Webster, Mayor (Odutayo 70), Imray, Whitely, Thompson (Kabamba 70), Arthurs (Charles 70), Congreve (Ilunga 60), Cheek. Subs not Used: Elerewe, Long.
Salford: Young, Garbutt, Tilt, Shephard, Nmai, Firnah (Longelo 80), Ashley, Mnoga, Woodburn (Lund 65), Adelakun (Warrington 89), Stockton. Subs Not Used: Edwards, Jones, Wright.
Goals – BFC – Ashley OG 8, Cheek 74mins. SCFC – Stockton 16 & 62mins, NMai 28mins.
HT 1-2 FT 2-3
Att: 2,658
Referee: Aaron Bannister