Two goals up with only five minutes to go Braintree were poised to secure their first win in 16 games on Saturday, after a much improved display at Cressing Road.

But all their good work was undone by a lapse of concentration which enabled Romford to hit back with two late goals to grab a point and then the visitors almost snatched a last gasp winner.

This was the fifth time the two sides had met this season and once again there was little to choose between them.

Braintree made a bright start and it was only two spectacular saves by Romford goalkeeper Tony Williams that prevented Mark Keen and Robbie Reinelt from finding the target early on.

Another good stop by Williams kept out a worthy effort by Ben Woolnough while at the other end, Nicky Rust pulled off a smart save from Romford's Steve Good.

At this stage it was anyone's game so the pendulum swung slightly the visitors' way in the 32nd minute when they were awarded a penalty from which Danny Winney made no mistake.

If anything, Braintree had not made the best of their chances in the first half so it came as no surprise when new signing Simon Miller was brought on to face his former Romford colleagues in the second half.

The lively front runner made an immediate impact and Braintree began to look much more dangerous near goal.

Only two minutes after the re-start, Iron were level when an inswinging corner from Scott Forbes eluded everyone and Williams could only just get a touch to help the ball on its way into the net.

From this point on Braintree emerged as the more positive side and with Miller a constant threat goals were always likely to follow.

It was on one of his penetrating runs that Miller was brought down just inside the area and from the resultant spot kick Reinelt fired the ball home to put Iron ahead.

Soon afterwards Mark Keen made it 3-1 with a powerful header from a Forbes free kick and it began to look as though Braintree's long overdue win was about to happen.

But Iron were not home and dry yet and with only three minutes of normal time remaining Mark Jones pulled a goal back for Romford to set the alarm bells ringing.

Suddenly what had been a pretty solid looking defence began to crumble and as the game moved into injury time Braintree were caught napping again as Mervin Abraham got through to grab the equaliser.

In a desperate final two minutes Romford almost snatched a winner with a shot that just went past the wrong side of the post.

Braintree Town: Rust, Renshaw, Tanner, Polston, Keen, Reinelt (Neufville), Woolnough (Cowan), Quinton, Perkins (Miller), O'Sullivan and Forbes.

Forthcoming fixtures: Saturday, January 15 v Harlow Town, Ryman League, at Cressing Road, 3pm; Tuesday, January 18 v Romford, East Anglian Cup, at Cressing Road, 7.45pm.

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