Iron get the breaks to send City to disappointing defeat

Two second half goals saw City slip to a disappointing defeat against struggling Braintree Town in Essex this afternoon. In a game of few chances at either end of the pitch it was the hosts who twice caught City on the break to record a first home win since September. City had shaded a low-key first half with Tom Smith’s 20-yard effort that flashed just wide the closest they came to opening the scoring. The pattern of the game changed little after the break but on the hour mark a swift break down the right flank saw Cerulli’s cross miss his intended target Russell but Chiedozie took full advantage with a well-placed volley. The 70th minute saw Joe Raynes burst into the box and look certain to equaliser only to delay his shot and then five minutes later the same player had an effort blocked on the line following a great run and cross by Sam Pearson. This was as close as City would come to scoring and two minutes into stoppage time, with the Romans understandingly throwing men forward, the Iron broke upfield again where substitute Smyth blasted home via the underside of the bar to secure the 2-0 win.