RICKY Gabriel felt it was Maidenhead United's second goal that really killed Braintree Town's hopes of getting something from their Vanarama National League clash on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Iron full-back was playing his first game of the season but it was not a happy return as the hosts lost 2-0 to leave them still winless in the league this year.

They had started well, but a 28th minute opener from Adrian Clifton put the visitors on top in the latter part of the first half and when Ayo Obileye added a second on the stroke of half-time, it was game over for the Iron.

Gabriel said Braintree battled well in the second half, but felt it was Obileye's strike that proved the real setback.

“It was disappointing as we started pretty well," he said.

“We didn’t get the ball down and play it like we know we can and the game was more adapted to their type of football as we were going long.

“We then switched off twice and two goals killed it for us.

“I thought we had about 70 per cent of the game until they got their goal and that obviously gave them a boost.

“But if we’d gone in one-nil at half-time, then I think we’d have come out a lot stronger in the second half, but the one just before was really disappointing to concede.

“It put everyone down, but everyone came out fighting in the second half and we tried to play more football.

“I thought we were on top but it was too late by then."