EBBSFLEET UNITED 4 BRAINTREE TOWN 2

Vanarama National League

Braintree Town were unable to find any post-festive cheer in Kent as their Boxing Day trip to Ebbsfleet United ended in a 4-2 defeat.

The Iron had given an encouraging display in their 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood in their last Vanarama National League outing before Christmas, but they were unable to get anything on their travels this time.

They did give themselves and their fans hope early in the second half, but the Fleet eased away in the latter stages to leave Braintree nine points away from getting clear of the relegation zone.

There was just one change for the Iron from the way they started the 1-1 draw against Boreham Wood in their previous outing as Justin Amaluzor dropped out of the matchday squad and Ejiro Okosieme came back in.

That game against Boreham Wood on Saturday saw Braintree controlling the play for much of the 90 minutes, but they found themselves on the back foot almost immediately this time.

There were just two minutes on the clock when the Fleet took the lead and it came partly from a source not unfamiliar to mid-Essex football fans.

Former Witham Town player Cody McDonald was making his debut for the Kent side and had an early impact as his cross was latched on to by Danny Kedwell and he lifted a shot over Ben Killip in the Iron goal and into the net.

It was not the start the visitors wanted or needed but they responded straight away from a corner that was punched out by home keeper Nathan Ashmore.

The ball only reached the head of Joe Ellul and the Braintree skipper placed the ball into the back of the home goal to restore parity with just six minutes on the clock.

It was a situation that lasted just a further seven minutes, though.

There were a couple of half chances for Ebbsfleet to regain the lead, before Kedwell put the hosts back ahead when a shot on goal was deflected past Killip and into the Iron net to make it 2-1.

McDonald continued to be influential in the game and the ex-Gillingham and Norwich City forward was only denied a goal by a goalline clearance just before the half-hour mark as Ebbsfleet had the lion’s share of the attacking threat.

Braintree did go close just before the break when Lyle Della-Verde sent a free-kick just wide of the target, but it was the home side who had something to cheer going into half-time.

They opened a 3-1 lead in the closing minute before the interval when Bagasan Graham fired in from the edge of the area from a corner as Braintree were left with a big task in the second 45 minutes.

That was reduced just four minutes after the restart, though, as the Iron were awarded a penalty when Courtney Richards was fouled in the area by Chris Bush.

They had failed to convert from the spot against Boreham Wood, but there was no mistake this time and West Bromwich Albion loaned Callum Morton found the back of the net to make it 3-2.

It brought the Iron back into the game and gave them hope of a comeback in the second half, but that was extinguished on 63 minutes when McDonald made it 4-2 for the hosts.

Although his shot was saved by Killip, it had enough on it to continue towards the Iron goal and, despite Cameron James hooking the ball off the line, the goal was given by the assistant referee.

Braintree knew the mountain to be climbed was back in place and they tried to press for a way back into the game again.

They went close a couple of times, but there was no way back this time and Ebbsfleet saw the game out to secure a 4-2 win.

Braintree are next in action when they head to fellow strugglers Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Braintree Town: Ben Killip, Joe Ellul, Ricky Gabriel, Kodi Lyons-Foster, Oscar Borg Ejiro Okosieme (Billy Crook 87), Cameron James, Courtney Richards (Mo Sagaf 66), Lyle Della-Verde (Nick Clayton-Phillips 78), Callum Morton, Marcel Barrington.

Subs not used: Taylor Curran.