Braintree Town dropped two crucial points on Saturday in the National League, squandering a three-goal lead, as hosts, Solihull Moors equalised with four minutes remaining to grab a 3-3 draw.
Iron were three-up inside 23 minutes and took the lead when Reece Hall-Johnson curled a high free-kick into the far top corner of the net, beating keeper Nathan Baxter.
With their tails up, Iron continued to pressure the struggling home rearguard and duly added a second on 17 minutes when the ever-alert Michael Cheek pounced from close range to score.
It continued to looked good for Iron when they added a third after just 23 minutes, the prolific Cheek scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box by Joel Kettle.
However, some sloppy defending three minutes later, allowed athe ball to float into the net, when Braintree should have really cleared a Simeon Maye free-kick.
In the second-half, a tired looking Iron side, missing five regulars – keeper Sam Beasant, Jake Goodman and Monty Patterson (injury), Chez Isaac (suspended) and defender Sean Clohessy (wife expecting) – struggled to retain any authority on the game, particularly in midfield.
The home side took the initiative and on 79 minutes pulled another goal back, through Oladapo Afolayan.
Then, on 86 minutes, George Carline powerfully headed home a free-kick from Ashley Sammons that gave Iron stand-in keeper Ben McNamara no chance in the visitors’ net
Iron manager Hakan Hayrettin said: “We didn’t do the game-management we should have, and the game should have been put to bed by half time.
“I think some of the players were still suffering from tiredness from the Lincoln City game on Tuesday but we should have done better.”
He added. “But it’s another point and we now look forward to our home game on Saturday against Southport for a win and three points.”
To add to the manager’s growing injury list, defender Ian Gayle had to have stitches in a gashed leg after the game and looks likely to sit out the next game.
National League
Solihull Moors 3
Braintree Town 3
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