Braintree's season tore into life on Saturday, thumping former league leaders St Albans City 4-2 at Clarence Park in the shock of the season so far.

Town, nine league games without a win before Saturday and only one all season, launched into this clash, surely fearing becoming the hosts' 11th league victims of the season.

But against the run of play the Essex side sneaked in front. St Albans had already been slow to react to the visitors' pace in the final third, and springing the offside trap on 14 minutes, Bradley Quinton went through to expertly lob Duncan Roberts for the opener.

Stafford Browne set up two chances in quick succession for Miguel de Souza to equalise, but the former Rushden & Diamonds Conference winner fired high and was then denied by Braintree keeper Paul Catley.

Browne then crashed a shot against the crossbar, before the hosts were caught with a killer second goal. Mark Jones delivered a pin-point corner on 47 minutes and Gary Waters headed in.

The hosts continued to press, with Rob Smith only the width of a post away from halving the arrears, before the goal did come - John Challinor losing his marker in the box to head in Scott Oakes' centre.

At times this season, Braintree would have crumbled at this point, but they showed resilience above and beyond their league position to hit a third and decisive goal through Quinton's second, this time a precise header.

Rob Smith then went near to adding a second for St Albans, before Cory Campbell made it 2-3 with a minute to play.

Notions of a late equaliser were soon put out of reach however as Roberts spooned a clearance and Nicky Simpson took full advantage to smash the ball home for the visitors' fourth.

Braintree still occupy a relegation spot, but will look on this result to fire their season into action. The defeat sees St Albans lose top spot to Aldershot, 3-1 winners at Chesham United.

Published Sunday November 3, 2002

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