Bromley welcomed Braintree Town to Hayes Lane on Tuesday night, with the Iron becoming something of a bogey team for the Ravens, who had failed to beat Town in their last 4 attempts.

Bromley got off to the worse possible start when after just four minutes, Ross Flitney tripped Reece Hall-Johnson in the box as the pair raced to the ball, and the latter went down, prompting referee David Rock to point to the spot. Up stepped top scorer Michael Cheek, and he converted coolly, sending Flitney the wrong way.

Bradley Goldberg nearly levelled things up, but after receiving the ball, shielding it from a defender and turning, he saw his dipping effort saved by Sam Beasant. However, their task was made considerably harder when Lee Minshull was shown a straight red card for a late challenge. Brandon Hanlan should have equalised, but after Ian Gayle failed to clear Louis Dennis’ cross from the middle of the box, he smashed his shot far too high, clearing the crossbar.

Things went from bad to worse for Bromley after Dan Johnson was also shown a straight red and Town were awarded another penalty, which Jack Midson duly converted, despite Flitney getting a hand to the ball. Soon after, Bromley manager Neil Smith was sent off by referee David Rock, who seemed intent on making his mark on the game. Despite being up against it and quite massively so, Bromley showed character and Hanlan nearly pulled one back after being set by Jack Holland, who had embarked on a long run, however, the former’s shot was blocked.

Town added a third in first half injury time after the ball was pulled back to Hall-Johnson, who converted from the six yard box.

In the second half, the Iron shut up shop and played a low tempo game, keeping the ball wherever possible. Goldberg nearly capitalised on a lack of communication between Manny Parry and goalkeeper Sam Beasant, but after getting the ball, he shot wide with Beasant stranded.

Town made their two man advantage count further after 70 minutes, as on loan Ipswich Town man Monty Patterson strolled through towards the box and beat Flitney with a well placed effort and Hall-Johnson added his second and Braintree’s fifth after weaving in and out of Bromley’s depleted back line and finishing low past Flitney.

There was another sending off to come, but this time it would be a Town player. Ian Gayle was shown a second yellow with 6 minutes remaining, after pushing Connor Dymond to the ground following a late challenge from the Bromley midfielder, who was subsequently booked.

Bromley XI: Flitney, Johnson (sent off 32’), Chorley, Holland ©, Minshull (sent off 17’), Dennis, Anderson, Higgs (Dymond), Turgott, Goldberg (Martin), Hanlan (Sho-Silva).

Unused subs: Dunne, Granger (GK).