BRAINTREE Town conceded in the fourth minute of stoppage time to lose 1-0 at home to Tamworth in the National League, writes DAVID WARD.

The visitors' winner was probably the most fluky goal seen over the years at the Rare Breed Meat Company Stadium.

Braintree had really played well in the second half, dominating most of the game but again failing to find the net.

And they were punished when from deep out on the right wing, Tom Tonks hit a ball high up towards goal and it somehow squeezed in the far top corner of the net.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Braintree manager Angelo Harrop said: "A totally fluke goal that the player will never do again but full credit to them, they scored and we lost a game which in all honesty, we should have won.

"The first half we were poor in what was a bitty type of game but we changed things around at half-time, had severe words with the players and it worked because we were then far the better side.

"We attacked all the time and created so many chances but simply failed to get the final ball over the line.

"It's really frustrating and disappointing because this was a game we should have won and I know they defended well but we created so many opportunities going forward yet let ourselves down again with that the final delivery."

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Harrop gave a debut to on-loan Barnet winger Jermaine Francis, who was at neighbours Chelmsford City last season.

Francis was outstanding throughout, causing all kinds of problems for the visitors' defence all afternoon.

"He was fantastic and he showed the kind of persistent type of performance down the wing that we need on both flanks in every game," said Harrop.

"He was also unlucky not have been given a penalty in each half when he was crudely brought down."

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Francis was definitely denied two blatant penalties, first on 33 minutes and again on 83 minutes but referee Sam Mulhall, on his first ever visit to Cressing Road, amazingly waved played on.

It seemed to sum up in the general fans' views his performance for both sides, in this game.

Braintree were also denied what looked like a goal on 58 minutes when the ball appeared to cross the Tamworth goalline.

Unfortunately the assistant referee was nowhere up with play, leading to further frustration for the Iron fans in the 970 crowd.

The official also failed to give a deliberate handball by a Tamworth defender on 71 minutes claiming it was accidental, after a goalbound Iron shot hit the outstretched player's arm.