Bromley surrendered their place at the top of the table with a disappointing defeat at Staines on Tuesday night failing to take their chances and conceding a late goal.

The game got off to a lively start with the play at a frantic pace flying from end to end. Bromley created the best early chances with Jay May turning a Joe Anderson cross just wide, Rob Swaine having a header saved, Bradley Goldberg having an effort tipped away by Jack Turner and Brendan Kiernan firing over.

Then on 14 minutes the home side took the lead with their first effort on goal. A deep cross headed home at the far post by Jerson Dos Santos.

Staines imposed their physical direct style on the game with numerous late challenges and off the ball incidents going unpunished.

The Ravens battled hard though and finished the half on top with May going close and Swaine having a headed goal ruled out after the Linesman judged the corner to have gone out of play.

Finally on 39 minutes Bromley drew level when Ali Fuseini set up Danny Waldren who got to his low cross first to steer it past Turner at his near post.

Adam Bailey-Dennis almost put Mark Goldberg’s side in front at the break heading narrowly wide late on.

The second half saw a positive start from Bromley, but it soon faded at the game was broken up by numerous off sides and scrappy play.

Bromley created some good chances as things went on with May missing a great chance from a Swaine knock down before Swaine and Jack Holland both had headers saved by Turner from set pieces and Goldberg headed just wide from Waldren’s cross.

Then with only a minute of normal time remaining Staines broke quickly up field, Bromley defence were caught flat footed and former Ravens striker Louis Theophanous turned smartly in the box and finished low into the corner past Joe Welch to seal all three points for The Swans.

Bromley now travel to Eastbourne Borough on Saturday hoping to bounce back and push Eastleigh all the way into the final month of the season.

 

Staines: Turner, Ming, Worsfold, Ferrell, Mboungou, Ifil, Lodge, Ngamvoulou (Pasaj 62), Theophanous, Dos Santos (Willock 68), Beadle (Neville 90).

Subs Not Used: Merson.

Bromley: Welch, Anderson, Poolley (Buchanan 90), Swaine, Bailey Dennis (Holland 45), Kiernan, Waldren, Fuseini, Jarrett (Dennis 80), May, Goldberg.

Subs Not Used: Nicholls, Reid.

Goals: Staines – Dos Santos 14, Theophanous 89mins. Bromley – Waldren 39mins

Match Rating:  2/5

Star Man: Jack Turner (Staines)

Referee: Mr Laver

Att: 212