BATH CITY 1 BRAINTREE TOWN 1

Vanarama National League South

Braintree Town returned to action after a two-week break in Vanarama National League South action with a draw at Bath City that was sealed by a late goal from striker Karl Oliyide.

The point they took was just  enough to keep Braintree at the summit of the table and it was hard-earned after they had fallen behind with 11 minutes to go and goalkeeper Nathan McDonald had to make a penalty save.

There was just one change from the Braintree side that had begun their previous league outing two weeks earlier, with Roman Michael-Percil coming back into the line-up as Alfred Mugabo dropped out.

That previous game had seen the Iron finish strongly in their 3-1 win at Gloucester City and they were hoping there would be no rustiness as they returned to action.

As it was, the opening spell was a reasonably quiet affair.

Both sides looked to press forward but neither was able to really get on top by making chances count.

Oliyide had a sight of goal on 32 minute, which home keeper Luke Southwood held on to easily, but it was followed by the closest effort of the half on 41 minutes.

Striker Phil Roberts was able to get the ball into the middle to where Samir Bihmoutine fired for goal only to see the ball cannon off the post as the deadlock remained at the break.

However, it was a situation that looked destined to change 12 minutes after the restart as Bath were awarded a penalty when Nat Jarvis was felled in the Iron box.

The hosts hadn’t bargained on McDonald, though, as he made a save from Jarvis’ spot-kick with his leg that diverted the ball on to the crossbar and away to safety.

The Iron keeper was alert to keep out an effort soon after when he showed great reactions to maintain parity, but he could do nothing to prevent Bath going ahead on 79 minutes.

It was substitute George Rigg with the effort for the hosts, but McDonald was beaten by a deflection as the ball came off Billy Crook as he tried to block the shot.

The lead didn’t last long for the home side, though, as Oliyide applied a smart close-range finish from Bihmoutine’s low cross to pull Braintree level with six minutes remaining.

It set up a tense finish that became even tenser as Bath ended the game with only ten men after Rigg received a second caution for a foul on Roberts in the 90th minute.

But Iron were unable to make their numerical advantage count in five minutes of added time at the end as they had to be content with a point on the road.

Braintree Town: Nathan McDonald, Mahrez Bettache, Ricky Gabriel (Ben Wyatt 67), Christian Frimpong, Marc-Anthony Okoye, Samir Bihmoutine (Tyler Campbell 94), Luke Allen, Billy Crook, Phil Roberts, Karl Oliyide, Roman Michael-Percil (Marcel Barrington 70).

Subs not used: Osa Obamwonyi, Dernell Wynter.