BRAINTREE TOWN 2 ROYSTON TOWN 2

FA Cup second qualifying round

In a game where fortunes ebbed and flowed, Braintree Town were denied a safe passage into the third qualifying round of the FA Cup as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Royston Town.

The Evo-Stik Southern League premier division side battled throughout and had chances to take the tie as the Iron suffered a day that they won’t really want to dwell on for too long.

They lacked an edge of quality going forward and were caught on too many occasions at the back as they made hard work for themselves.

Royston held the lead at half-time, so the hosts had to come from behind after the break, but after getting their noses in front with goals by Luke Allan and Karl Oliyide, they would have fancied going on to win.

However, Royston showed their mettle and, even though they finished the game with ten men, they came back to grab an equaliser and take the tie into a replay. Braintree made two changes to their line-up from the side that started their 1-0 Vanarama National League South game at Concord Rangers on Tuesday.

Returning to the team were Karl Oliyide and Billy Crook, who were rested for the previous game, while Luke Allen and Roman Michael-Percil moved to the bench.

The game was delayed by ten minutes after an injury was sustained by one of the match officials and a replacement had to be located.

When it did get under way, it was Braintree who saw most of the ball, with Royston struggling to impose themselves in the Iron’s half of the pitch as the home defence stood solid.

Despite their possession, though, the hosts were unable to make a telling breakthrough in the opening stages as the final ball lacked the quality needed to pierce Royston’s own back line.

It was a frustrating start for the hosts and further frustration came with the arrival of the opening goal in the 23rd minute.

It was a real sucker punch for Braintree.

There was a delay in play after an off-the-ball coming together between Scott Shulton and former Colchester United and Chelmsford City midfielder Sam Corcoran that ended with both being cautioned.

There was a delay while the referee dealt with the yellow cards, but Royston were quicker to react after the restart.

The Iron were caught napping as the ball was played forward and cut in from the right to where Scott Bridges poked it in from close range.

Frustration was evident both on and off the pitch for the hosts and they looked ragged as James Potton was allowed to run dangerously at them after the ball had been given away in midfield.

It ended with a shot over the bar, but it served notice that the Iron needed to step up their game.

They were unable to do that before the break and made a chance, with Allen replacing Shulton as they looked to get themselves back into the tie.

However, the first sight of goal came for the visitors within three minutes of the restart.

There was a threat for Royston as a ball forward split open Iron defence and Adam Marriott's low shot forced Iron keeper Nathan McDonald into a good save.

And there was another let-off for Braintree as Ed Asafu-Adjaye swung in a cross that found Jack Vasey unmarked at the back post but he couldn't direct his header on target.

Having made a shaky start and ridden their luck a bit, Braintree did get themselves level with their first real sight of goal of the second half.

It came in the 52nd minute with Royston appealing for a foul on the edge of their box and with referee Paul Harris not signalling for any infringement Braintree took advantage.

Billy Crook took the ball forward, rode a couple of challenges and showed great composure to slot it across to the onrushing Allen, who fired home from close range.

It was just the tonic the hosts needed and there was better to come as they found themselves in front with a great break forward in the 60th minute that opened Royston’s defence.

Braintree surged forward down the right, with Tyler Campbell doing a tremendous job to lay the ball off to Phil Roberts, who curled in an effort that slammed off the foot of the post.

It was the briefest of repreives for Royston, though, as Karl Oliyide was well-placed to head in the rebound.

Having got themselves in front and looking to have regained an energetic edge, the Iron shot themselves in the foot just seven minutes later when their defence was caught cold.

A ball forward was allowed to bounce and former Lincoln City striker Adam Marriott showed his quality to tuck the ball in from an angle to restore parity.

It had been a frantic period where fortunes ebbed and flowed and the tie was clearly on a knife edge.

There was almost a third for Braintree straight after they conceded, though, as Oliyide did well to battle and get the ball back to Campbell on the penalty spot but his shot was snatched and flew over the target.

Both teams were aware how finely poised the tie was, but Royston were forced to play the final seven minutes a man short.

Two fouls by Romelle Alomenu – within 60 seconds of each other – saw the Royston full-back receive two bookings and a red card.

Despite their man advantage, though, Braintree were unable to force a winner and the two will have to settle it with a replay.

Braintree Town: Nathan McDonald, Jon Muleba, Ricky Gabriel, Christian Frimpong, Marc-Anthony Okoye, Scott Shulton (Luke Allen 45), Billy Crook, Alfred Mugabo, Karl Oliyide, Phil Roberts (Dernell Wynter 79), Tyler Campbell.

Subs not used: Mahrez Bettache, Roman Michael-Percil, Ben Wyatt, Reece Grant.

Referee: Paul Harris.