BRAINTREE TOWN squandered a two-goal lead and were pegged back to 2-2 in tonight’s National League showdown against Sutton United.

The bottom-of-the-table Iron drew first blood after a close-range finish from Marcel Barrington, after good work from Justin Amaluzor.

Billy Crook then doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, after more good work from Amaluzor.

However, Charlie Clough halved the deficit 15 minutes from time and Jamie Collins slotted home a late penalty to leave the Iron frustrated.

To add to their disappointment, second-from-bottom Dover Athletic won 1-0 at Boreham Wood.

Elsewhere tonight, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup after a 2-1 defeat at Brentwood Town.

Daniel Walker gave them an 11th-minute lead in the fourth-round tie but the hosts hit back in the second half through Albert Levett (53) and Quba Gordon (67).

MALDON AND TIPTREE also went down 2-1, at home to Enfield Town, in the third round of the Velocity Trophy.

Taofiq Olomowewe and Liam Hope put the visitors in command before De-Carrey Sheriff’s late consolation for the Jammers.

COGGESHALL TOWN’S Essex Senior Cup tie at Hullbridge Sports was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Lower Road.

FC CLACTON exited the League Challenge Cup against White Ensign, at the Rush Green Bowl.

They lost 5-4 on penalties after the tie finished 1-1.

Karl Andrade had put the Seasiders ahead.