BRAINTREE Town brought their pre-season series of home friendlies against higher-ranked opposition to a close on Friday with their fourth defeat out of four, writes RON FOSKER.

They were in the game for much of the time against League One Stevenage’s mix of first-teamers and youth prospects but a goal midway through the second half consigned them to defeat.

They had gone in at the interval level at 1-1, both goals arising from unwitting assistance from the defence.

Stevenage, managed by ex-Iron Alex Revell, opened the scoring with a long-range shot from Harvey White.

Jacob Knightbridge had it covered but it was deflected by George Langston’s outstretched foot and left the keeper stranded.

Three minutes later, the teams were level when a back pass had insufficient weight allowing former Stevenage striker Inih Effiong a clear run at goal and his shot hit the post and just crept over the line.

By contrast, the winning goal owed nothing to chance.

Makise Evans skipping clear of a worryingly static back line to plant the ball past Knightbridge.