National League South Bognor Regis Town 2 Braintree Town 1 The wait for an Iron win goes on after this latest setback at Nyewood Road, where they conceded two sloppy first half goals from which they never recovered despite an improved second half showing, writes David Ward.
It means the Iron have now gone six games without a win seriously denting their hopes for the play-offs and again it was basic, schoolboy errors that saw them concede two goals, the first after four minutes and the second five minutes before the interval.
It left manager Brad Quinton again frustrated and disappointed with his side adding: “We had a game plan that was working but you cannot accept individual errors that caused us to concede two really sloppy goals.
“I had a big go at the players at half-time and to their credit they responded in the right way and I felt we pressurised their defence for long periods but just couldn’t find that edge to get an equaliser which I think we deserved.”
The Iron started with Marcel Barrington leading the attack following the departure the previous evening of Phil Roberts to league rivals Chelmsford City and there was a first start for Ipswich Town loanee Connor McKendry.
The home side had the better start though taking the lead on four minutes when the Iron lost the ball in midfield and then the defence failed to clear, leaving the unmarked Richard Gilot to simply bundle the ball over the line.
Although the Iron had lengthy spells of possession they faltered in front of goal, but Billy Crook (20 minutes) and McKendry (21) had chances only to be denied by home keeper Dan Lincoln.
Much against the run of play the home side added a second on 40 minutes when again poor Iron defending saw Ollie Pearce lob the ball over the advancing Iron keeper Nathan McDonald.
The second half saw a vast improvement from the Iron with some at times desperate home defending and Crook gave visiting home fans hope when he curled in a fine shot from the right wing that gave Lincoln no chance on 64 minutes.
The Iron pushed hard for the equaliser but again some wayward passing and the lack of cutting edge in attack proved their downfall.
Quinton said: “We need to start winning again and I am confident we will.” Next up for the Iron is a home game against Poole Town on Saturday.
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