A youthful Braintree Town side were knocked out of the Essex Senior Cup after losing 4-1 at Thurrock.

The Iron fielded a very inexperienced side and were comprehensively beaten by their Ryman League division one north opponents, at the third-round stage.

Mark Onyemah and Ishmel Demontagnac both went close for the home side, before they finally took the lead thanks to Rob Clark’s long-range effort.

Robbie Farrell came agonisingly close to doubling Thurrock’s lead soon after when his curling effort rattled the woodwork.

And although Braintree almost equalised with a free-kick just after the break, they fell further behind soon after.

Lamar Reynolds chipped the ball over the Iron keeper to double Thurrock’s lead following Greig Stewart’s fine run and pass.

To their credit, Braintree kept battling but they conceded a third when Loui Hazelwood slotted home from Onyemah’s assist.

The Iron did pull a goal back after the Thurrock defence had fail to clear a cross from the right.

But Thurrock wrapped up their win through Greig Stewart, who converted from two yards after Hazelwood’s shot had come back off a post.

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