BRAINTREE TOWN remain six points clear at the top of Blue Square Bet South - despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat at ten-man Dartford.

Elliot Bradbrook’s second-half strike gave the Darts victory, despite having Charlie Sheringham - son of former Colchester United striker Teddy - sent off after just 16 minutes for a foul on Matt Paine.

It was Iron’s first league defeat since mid-November.

Manager Rod Stringer said: “Fair play to Dartford - they worked hard when down to ten men and that save by their keeper from Dave Bryant probably won them the game.

“We worked hard and I felt we were good value for a point, but sometimes in football you don’t always get what you deserve.”

After Sheringham was sent off, Braintree dominated for lengthy periods.

Paine’s header grazed the bar from Jai Reason’s corner and Kenny Davis also went close for Iron, in the first half.

The league leaders increased the pressure, after half-time.

Sean Marks’ diving header was well saved by Dartford keeper Andrew Young, before boss Stringer introduced substitute Jamie Guy on the hour and switched to an attacking 4-3-3 formation.

Kenny Davis’s stinging drive went just wide and then Bryant’s volley was brilliantly turned around by Young from close range for a corner, as Iron pressed.

But it was Dartford who grabbed the winner when Bradbrook finished from close range, after Iron goalkeeper Nathan McDonald had done well to block Jon Main’s initial effort.

WIVENHOE TOWN have now lost eight of their last nine games, following their 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Felixstowe and Walton United.

The Dragons fell to defeat in the Ridgeons League premier division encounter at Broad Lane, thanks to goals from Jay Denniss and Karl Andrade.

MALDON AND TIPTREE beat Cheshunt 3-1 at Park Drive, in Ryman League division one north.

In the Essex Senior League, WITHAM TOWN’S promotion hopes suffered another blow when they were beaten 3-2 at champions Stansted.