Bromley’s promotion hopes suffered another blow as the March decline continued as they were out muscled and out battled by a robust Chelmsford side who made their chances count while The Ravens were wasteful in front of goal.

With Mark Goldberg absent, Hugo Langton and Neil Smith took control of the side and shook things up from Tuesday’s defeat at home to Sutton.

Devante McKain made his debut at the back on loan from Gillingham partnering Jack Holland who returned from England C duty.

In blustery conditions on a bumpy pitch, both sides took a while to settle, Bromley created the best early chances when Bradley Goldberg hit the post and Pierre Joseph-Dubois fired wide after good work by Brendan Kiernan.

Jay May headed wide from a corner as Bromley continued to press, Ashley Nicholls and Dubois were also denied by home keeper Carl Pentney before Chelmsford battled back launching an aerial bombardment that eventually lead to the opening goal.

Bagasam Graham went on a powerful run before his shot was parried by Joe Welch and Michael Cheek headed home the loose ball.

Kieron St Aimee and Cheek both forced saves from Welch before St Aimee made it 2-0 on 44 minutes heading home from a corner, with Dean Poolley down injured.

The second half saw Bromley make a great start when Dubois latched on to a May knock down and coolly finished past Pentney for 2-1.

The ravens were dealt a blow when Dubois limped off with a hamstring injury, but they still created more chances with Danny Waldren hitting the post and May shooting wide from the rebound.

The home side then had a good spell of pressure with Matthew Lock heading wide, While leon Redwood and St Aimee were denied by Welch.

The killer goal came on 76 minutes when a deep corner was headed home by Christian Smith for The Clarets leaving a beleaguered Bromley looking crestfallen.

Late on Waldren had a goal ruled out for offside, but The Ravens had no answer to the powerful Chelmsford side who were too strong for the league leaders over the 90 minutes and were worthy winners.

Chelmsford: Petney, Long, Redwood, Lock, Haines, Smith, Graham (Ward 72), Avery, Cheek (Gregory 90), St Aimee, Nicolau( Greene 70).

Subs not used: Sackey, Miller.

Bromley: Welch, Poolley, Anderson, Waldren, Holland (Buchanan 84), McKain, Dubois (Jarrett 55), Nicholls (Fuseini 70), Kiernan, May, Goldberg.

Subs not used: Dennis, McDonnell.

Referee: Mr Betts

Attendance: 738

Star Man: St Aimee – Chelmsford.

Match rating: 3/5