Bromley welcomed high profile Lancashire outfit Salford City to Hayes Lane on Saturday afternoon, with the Ravens aiming to change their fortunes after two consecutive defeats.

There was almost a flying start to the game from Bromley, as just 30 seconds in, George Porter pounced on a poor back header and surged towards the box, but ended his run with a tame shot straight into the arms of Chris Neal.

However, on six minutes, the away side could have gone in front. Rory Gaffney pulled a pass back across goal, which found the feet of strike partner Adam Rooney. He struck a powerful effort at goal, only to be denied by a close range block from Jake Goodman.

As Bromley grew into the game and began dictating play, a fantastic through ball from Jordan Higgs was chased by Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe. After Nathan Pond got a foot in, Omar Bugiel picked up the loose ball and drove at goal from an angle, but saw his effort saved by Neal.

Just after the half hour mark, the best chance to that point fell Bromley’s way. Ogedi-Uzokwe chased down a long ball, and played it into the path of Bugiel, who again, powered at goal from an angle, but was denied by Neal’s smart reflexes.

Just three minutes later, Bromley would be punished. Against the run of play, Gaffney nodded the visitors in front, after a well timed run across the six yard box, meeting Rooney’s looped header across goal.

Before half time, a shellshocked Bromley side went close through Jake Goodman and the returning Jack Holland, both of whom were unable to score with flicked headers from long throws.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Bromley’s task was made even more difficult. After sliding into a challenge with Pond, referee Adrian Quelch dismissed the returning winger, in what was a very controversial decision.

Salford sensed an opportunity with their numerical advantage and went close to scoring again just minutes after this, but Lloyd scuffed an effort inches wide after meeting Rooney’s cross.

However, they didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage. On 61 minutes, Tom Walker finished off a neat City counter attack, slotting home from the edge of the six yard box.

The best chance for ten man Bromley to get back in the game came ten minutes later through Ogedi-Uzokwe. A fantastic cross from Porter was met by the head of the on-loan Colchester United man, but with Neal beaten, he headed inches wide.

As time drew on, David Gregory made a good save to deny Rooney from scoring Salford’s third, getting down low to his left to parry the shot.

Bromley XI: Gregory, Adebayo-Rowling (Sutherland), Holland (C), Raymond, Bugiel (De Silva), Mekki, Higgs, Goodman, Porter (Goddard), Ogedi-Uzokwe, Wood

Unused substitutes: D.Johnson, Taylor

Attendance: 2020 (83 away)