BRAINTREE TOWN bowed out of the FA Trophy tonight after a 2-1 defeat at Salisbury.

The Iron, bottom of the National League table, had been hoping for some much-needed cheer in the rearranged first-round tie in Wiltshire.

However, after an evenly-poised first half, it was the hosts who grabbed a winner in the second half.

Southern League premier south high-fliers Salisbury went ahead when Darren Mullings netted in the 25th minute.

Luke Allen restored parity four minutes later with a stunning long-range effort that crashed in via the post.

But Salisbury’s winner arrived in the 69th minute thanks to another goal from Mullings.

The hosts now travel to Carshalton Athletic for a second-round tie on Saturday.