Braintree were encouraged by taking the lead three times at Maidenhead on Monday, but still lost again, beaten by a last minute decider.

At times the exchanges were little more than a lottery with the ball skidding or plopping depending where it came to earth.

With new manager John Bennett having to field another drastically reshuffled side due to suspensions, injuries and defections, Braintree did well to hold the strong running Maidenhead side during the first half hour and were then rewarded with the opening goal in the 39th minute.

Ben Woolnough created the chance by putting Declan Perkins through but although his shot appeared to be missing the far post, it took a deflection off an opponent and squirmed over the line just inside the goalpost.

Immediately after the interval, Braintree were undone by a quick break, and Barry Rake's cross left Chris Ferdinand to easily slot the ball home.

In the 56th minute Maidenhead were penalised for a back pass to the goalkeeper and from the free kick, Robbie Reinelt drove the ball through the home wall to restore Iron's lead.

But two minutes later it was all square again as Maidenhead forced the ball through the mud in a goalmouth melee with Agudosi scoring.

The best goal of the day was netted in the 81st minute, when a corner by Nicky Smith was knocked back by substitute Neufville for 'new boy' Bradley Quinton to hammer the ball into the net from 20 yards out.

Within minutes more slack defending let in Steve Croxford to make it 3-3.

Then came the final disappointment for the battling visitors when with just two minutes to go, Maidenhead scored the decider when Croxford was on hand once more to knock the ball in following a corner.

Braintree need to tighten up a defence that is giving away far too many easy goals to rediscovering their winning form.

Braintree Town: Rust, Renshaw, Tanner, Polston, Keen, Reinelt (Panayiotou), Woolnough, Quinton, Perkins, Smith, and Forbes (Neufville).

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