BRAINTREE Town were left to rue some costly errors after losing 3-1 at Boston United, writes DAVID WARD.

The Iron lost their National League clash in rain and windswept Lincolnshire, after two basic first-half schoolboy errors by goalkeeper Lucas Covolan.

It was always going to be a real uphill battle for Braintree after they gifted the hosts two goals and the shell-shocked Iron players never recovered from this appalling setback.

Covolan allowed Cameron Green's effort from the left to completely slip through his hands, in the opening minute.

And then two minutes before half-time, he inexplicably allowed Jacob Hazel's high bouncing effort to go over his hands and into the net, when it should have just been tipped over.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Yes, it was a wet and windy day to play football for both sides but there can be no excuses for not stopping these two goals which obviously delighted new Boston manager Graham Coughlan and his players.

Iron's loyal 102 fans in the 1,688 crowd could see that the shock first-minute goal drain the visiting players of any confidence and this was further exacerbated by the second goal.

Braintree manager Angelo Harrop said: "The two mistakes in effect cost us the game and Lucas has been so consistently good for us this season in other games but it was a frustrating two errors for us and I am bitterly disappointed we didn't get something out of this game.

"I felt the first half we were poor and didn't play well and their players were on a high after getting gifted those two goals.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

"I felt the second half we were certainly far better and putting them under far more pressure and we had one effort come back of the bar and went close on numerous occasions.

"We've got to learn hard from these kind of games and learn quickly and we have to be ugly at times to win our battles because this league is so strong and unforgiving.

"In a way it was like the Wealdstone game away where we faulted badly in the second half and it cost at least a point.

"I feel we have basically a good side but we have to be more threatening when we attack and in the second half we showed what we are capable of particularly in what were difficult and tricky conditions today."

Buoyant Boston had enough first-half chances to have been at least 4-0 up at half-time.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Braintree were at times shambolic in almost every department, with some players clearly again showing they are not up to higher level of non league football.

Their two most experienced strikers - Inih Effiong and substitute John Akinde - again failed to make any impression with their attacking prowess whilst Chay Cooper, substituted in the 59th minute, should be internally disciplined by the management for storming off, throwing his shirt to the floor of the dugout and going straight to the dressing room.

All players get frustrated when they are taken off but his reaction and such behaviour sets a bad example to younger players and shows total disregard for his team-mates and respect for the club as a whole.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

The Iron were better in the second half and deservedly pulled a goal on 71 minutes with a fine near-post header from Jermaine Francis, following Frankie Terry's great left-wing cross.

But by then Boston were three goals ahead following Frankie Maguire's goal on 57 minutes and despite all the huffing and puffing from the Iron players, realistically there was no way back.

Braintree host Maidenhead United on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game sees ex-Iron boss Alan Devonshire return to Cressing Road and he will be looking to put matters right, having seen his side lose 5-0 at home to Gateshead.