Record signing Leon Gutzmore returned to haunt his old team-mates and put a big dent in their promotion hopes.

Gutzmore signed for the Iron from Bedford earlier this year after an unhappy spell there. And now the promotion contenders will be rueing letting him go after he struck twice to seal a fine win.

A Gutzmore penalty in the second minute set Braintree up for an exciting afternoon.

But it was a head injury to young defender Gavin Cowan, and Bedford's Paul Covington, that will be what the match will be most remembered for.

That led to the Essex Air Ambulance being called and play being held up for 55 minutes - both players were later released from hospital.

After play resumed Sam Banya put Bedford back on terms.

But a second Gutzmore goal, and a strike from Courtney Naylor, gave the Iron the win that their good play deserved.

There was still time for more drama as Bedford goalkeeper Mark Smith was sent off for a challenge on Nigel Hewes late on.

The victory puts Braintree tenth in Ryman League division one - and surely condemns ambitious Bedford to another season in the division.

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