AFC Telford United 1 Braintree Town 3
AFC Telford United were made to pay for a dreadful first half showing as they went down 3-1 at home to Braintree Town.
The Bucks had gone into the game in good form and were hunting a third straight home win in league and cup.
But a defensive horror show in the opening 45 minutes left them facing a 3-0 deficit at the interval, and despite an improved second half showing it proved unassailable.
Telford began the game sloppily and the visitors had already tested goalkeeper Freddy Hall on three occasions before Charlie Strutton handed them a 14th minute lead.
The Iron hitman beat the offside trap to slot past Hall at the far post.
Sean Cooke was not far away with an immediate response, hooking just wide of the far post as the Bucks tried to spring a rapid counter attack.
But Alan Massey, Sean Marks and Strutton failed to make the most of fine chances for The Iron at the other end as the Bucks continued to make defensive errors.
Strutton finally made it 2-0 seven minutes before half time with a fine half volley from Chez Isaac's cushioned pass.
And Marks made it 3-0 five minutes later with a close range finish following more atrocious marking by the hosts.
A Ryan Higgins low drive, which was saved comfortably by Nick Hamann, and a deflected Tony Gray effort onto the roof of the net were the best Telford could muster in response.
They were understandably booed off at half time and manager Liam Watson made three changes at the break with Kyle Brownhill, Charlie Barnett and Sam Smith all coming on.
Sean Cooke, Josh Hancock and Adam Farrell made way, and Telford cut the deficit within eight minutes of the re-start from Gray's header.
Brownhill served the goal up on a plate with an excellent left-wing cross after determined running from Higgins.
The goal sparked the home side into life and they were not far away from a second goal after a handful of corner-kicks had Braintree looking decidedly unnerved.
But visiting boss Alan Devonshire steadied the ship thereafter, withdrawing Strutton for midfielder Kenny Davis midway through.
And they managed to see out the remaining action without any real scares as Telford ran out of stream.
