Matt Wadforth's Braintree side were unlucky to lose Saturday's tightly contested London North League Two encounter at King Georges Playing Fields in Brentwood, after giving one of their most committed performances of the season.

Only the home side's mastery of their sloping pitch enabled them to get the better of the black and ambers, who deserved at least a share of the spoils for their endeavours.

Playing uphill in the first half, Tree should have ensured they established a lead to protect in anticipation of an onslaught after the turnaround.

But instead they conceded two unfortunate tries, one of which was converted, to leave them with a genuine uphill battle in the second half.

One of the Brentwood scores looked at best dubious with a glaring forward pass in the backs escaping the referee's attention.

Despite Brentwood's 12-point first half haul Tree stayed in touch thanks to fine tries from Australian Lauchlan Marris and inspirational hooker Stevie Sewell.

Sewell's try was testimony to the visitors superb support play as he stormed forward to take a popped pass at the end of skipper Wadforth's 30-yard run.

Tree knew they faced an arduous task in the second 40 minutes with their Essex rivals able to maximise their familiarity with the slope of the pitch.

Brentwood came out strongly and scored a converted try to establish a 19-10 lead but the black and ambers then dug deep and dominated play for a 20-minute period.

They reduced the arrears quarter of an hour before the final whistle when the referee penalised Brentwood for killing the ball.

Australian Mike Pengelly stepped up to convert the penalty to pull Braintree within six points of the home side.

The game was effectively up for grabs and both sides fought fiercely for the initiative until the home team got a lucky break to kill the game off.

A wicked bounce fell straight into the arms of one of Brentwood's wingers from a kick through and he was able to rampage over the try line to score.

The try was converted to give the home team a 26-13 victory, but Tree can hold their heads up high despite another defeat in a frustrating season.

Watching club chairman John Keeley said: "The lads showed a fantastic amount of commitment and desire and it was one of their best performances of the season.

"A couple of decisions went against them and Brentwood seemed to get all the luck but they gave a display which showed they had pride in their jerseys."

Keeley singled out stand-in full back Michael Gaskell and Colts winger Dave Turner, who enjoyed a 15-minute debut as a replacement, for particular praise.

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