BRAINTREE TOWN 1 WREXHAM 2

Vanarama National League

Braintree Town enjoyed the perfect start to their Vanarama National League clash with Wrexham but they weren’t able to turn it into a positive finish as they ended up losing 2-1 to the Welsh side.

It was the first time this season that Wrexham had won back-to-back away games as they struck back from the early setback of conceding in the first minute.

Michael Cheek scored to put the Iron ahead with just seconds on the clock, but Braintree were quickly pegged back by Ntumba Massanka’s equaliser and an Ollie Shenton goal after the break won it for the visitors.

Braintree had been one of just four sides to take three points off the Dragons on their own turf this season, but the tables were turned in the reverse fixture.

And their frustration was made worse by Reece Hall-Johnson having a seemingly good strike ruled off for off-side soon after the visitors had gone ahead.

The Iron’s line-up saw a single difference from the side that had started their 5-0 win at Bromley in midweek.

That was the exclusion of Ian Gayle, who was suspended after getting sent off at Bromley, and saw the immediate introduction of Frankie Musonda, who had joined on a short-term loan from Luton Town the day before.

Wrexham also made just the one change from the side that started their previous game - a 1-0 win at Solihull Moors seven days before - as full-back James Jennings returned from a back injury and Mitchell Lund dropped to the bench.

It was the worst possible start for the visitors, though, as they fell behind before the first minute was finished.

The Iron won a corner from their first attack and after Jack Midson had headed the ball down and the Wrexham defence failed to clear, leading Braintree scorer Michael Cheek slammed it into the net.

The advantage didn’t last long, though, as Wrexham were level inside five minutes.

A ball over the top fell in behind the Braintree defence and with full-back Sean Clohessy struggling to get back, Izale McLeod raced on before cutting the ball back to where Massanka was waiting to score from close range.

It was a frantic start to the game and there were further half-chances at both ends but the game began to settle down a bit as the two sides found their rhythm a bit more.

Wrexham had two more good chances as first Curtis Tilt headed just off target from a corner and Paul Rutherford was unable to make more of a shot with home keeper Sam Beasant off his line.

There were opportunities at the other end, though, as the Iron pressed more.

The long throw-ins of Harry Lee started looking dangerous and one of these in the 27th minute led to some pinball in the Wrexham box.

Braintree managed to get off a couple of efforts which were blocked before the ball eventually fell invitingly to Cheek about seven yards out but his header was poor and off target.

Neither side was able to add to their tally before the break, though, as the half ended with them locked together at 1-1.

Wrexham made a lively start to the second half, with Ollie Shenton heading just over from a corner, but the pattern of the first half soon returned with Braintree shading possession and Wrexham looking dangerous on the break.

It was a tactic that worked in the 64th minute for the Welsh side as poor defending from Braintree saw them opened up too easily and the ball dropped to Ollie Shenton, who stabbed it in from six yards out There was almost an instant reply from the Iron as Reece Hall-Johnson drilled the ball into the net from just outside the penalty area, but Wrexham were reprieved by a raised linesman’s flag.

It looked harsh on the Iron, but referee Adam Bromley wasn’t to be moved by Braintree appeals and the Welsh side held on to their lead.

There was no shortage of effort from Braintree in the remaining part of the game, but the visitors were able to see off the hosts’ threats and shut out the game by keeping the ball high up the pitch in the closing minutes to hold on to their points.

Braintree Town: Sam Beasant, Jerome Okimo, Manny Parry, Frankie Musonda, Sean Clohessy, Chez Isaac (Joe Maybanks 83), Harry Lee, Reece Hall-Johnson (Alex Henshall 75), Monty Patterson (Kris Twardek 57), Jack Midson, Michael Cheek.

Subs not used: Sam Corne, Lee Barnard.

Referee: Adam Bromley.