Shane Brewer was recalled at left back in a reshuffled defence, and the much travelled Dean Holdsworth made his debut up front alongside Craig Hughes who had recovered from his back strain.

 

The Isthmian League champions started confidently and took an early lead. The on-loan Chris Sullivan beat a disorganised offside trap and delightfully chipped Mark Ovendale with a first time touch from the edge of the box to bring the home crowd to their feet. County responded almost immediately. The marauding Steve Jenkins set Jason Bowen clear on the right flank and Craig Hughes’ agility allowed him to twist in mid air to confidently head the crossed ball back across Nicky Morgan for the equaliser with only 12 minutes on the clock.

 

Although County could not find the fluency in their passing which characterised their earlier winning run but still penned The Irons in the own half and created a number of chances to take the lead. Jason Bowen had one shot blocked and another saved by the outstretched legs of Morgan. Debutant Dean Holdsworth troubled Morgan with a snap volley from 20 yards and fractionally missed Bowen’s enticing cross with the defence out of position.

 

The Irons had chances of their own in a promising first half. Brad Quinton cut in from the left and unleashed a thunderbolt which rattled Mark Ovendale’s bar before Ovendale had to rush out to block Louie Riddle’s close range shot. Steve Jenkins had to be alert to prevent Riddle from scoring from the rebound as the ball spun free.     

 

The second half was a drab affair as the two defences blunted the respective attacks. County had the better of the chances. Ollie Adedeji miscued a clearance on the bye-line and Steve Jenkins’ side footed angled shot almost eluded the last defender who managed to hack the ball off the line. Nathan Davies warmed Morgan’s hands with a 25 yard shot and Richard Evans shot over when greater composure was called for.

 

The Irons scored the decisive goal with only their second meaningful attack of the half. County’s frailties in defending a routine corner proved costly. Riddle swung his corner kick into the danger area and the giant Russ Edwards got in front of Mark Ovendale to glance the ball across goal and into the far corner of the net. Ovendale then had to be alert to save another Edwards header. At the other end the introduction of Sam O’Sullivan and Matt Prosser made little impact on the match as the hosts competently dealt with the increasingly desperate attacks of The Exiles.

 

County now face ‘must win’ matches against a resurgent Thurrock and high-flying Welling United if they are to stay in touch with the play-off contenders.        

 

Line Ups:

 

County: Ovendale, S Jenkins, Brewer, Davies, Searle (C), Hillier, Bowen, Collier (Garner 44), Holdsworth (Prosser 83), Hughes, Evans (O’Sullivan 78) Subs Not Used: Edwards, Blackburn

Braintree: Morgan, Burgess, Jones, Adedeji, Edwards (C), Quinton, Martin (Hawes 71), Good, Sullivan (Baker), Brayley (Bradshaw 54), Riddle Subs Not Used Bailey, Sutton

 

Scorers:

County: Craig Hughes (12)

Braintree: Chris Sullivan (6) and Russ Edwards (74)

 

Cautions:

County: Searle (foul)

Braintree: Burgess (foul)

 

Attendance:

560

 

Officials:

Referee: C. Francis

Assistants: P. Faithful and M Cottee  

                                                

Man of the Match:

Reporter’s County Man of the Match: Steve Jenkins

Reporter’s Braintree Man of the Match: Russ Edwards

 

Conditions:

Dry, cold and sunny

 

Match Rating:

2/5