THE fact that his players failed to heed the warning given to them was the biggest frustration for Braintree Town manager Brad Quinton as he saw his team beaten at St Albans City.

The hosts came from behind to win the Easter Monday clash at Clarence Park 2-1 and boost their own Vanarama National League South play-off hopes while putting a dent in the Iron’s.

Josh Hill had given Braintree the ideal start with a goal inside the first 90 seconds, but St Albans hit back in the second half and two Sam Merson strikes saw the points stay in Hertfordshire.

The first of those came from a corner while the Iron were on top and looking comfortable with their lead and it changed the dynamic of the game as City were able to dominate the latter stages.

Quinton said: “It was a game of two halves.

“We had chances that would have put us two ahead, which we couldn’t take and we then conceded from the free-kick.

“It’s disappointing as I spoke to my guys about the threat from their set pieces.

“They do a block across the front and then have a free man so it was disappointing that we didn’t deal with that.

“That’s the hardest thing for me to take, because we spoke about what they do at set pieces.

“That was frustrating and we then sat back a little bit when it was one-all.

“The defence and midfield didn’t get up to support and we tired towards the end.”