by STEPHEN PAGE

LITTLE Oakley suffered an agonising setback as they conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Braintree Town Reserves, in the Thurlow Nunn League first division on Saturday.

The Acorns recovered from 1-0 down to lead through an own goal and Steve Polley’s second-half strike, before Iron striker Joseph Jones scored his second of the game late on to secure a share of the spoils.

The result leaves Sean Tynan’s side in 16th place with eight points from ten games as they continue to adapt to life in a higher division, following their promotion from the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

The draw should be seen as a positive result for Tynan’s side, given they were soundly beaten 7-1 by Braintree Town Reserves in the reverse fixture last month.

Tynan stated his side were “taught a footballing lesson” by their opponents in that reverse fixture and stressed in his programme notes he wanted his side to show “how much (they had) learnt from that night.”

They almost got off to the perfect start in terms of exacting revenge over their opponents.

Top-scorer Harry Mann forced a good save from Braintree keeper Harry Aldridge in the first minute.

The Acorns allowed Braintree to control possession as the Young Irons gradually grew into the game, with both Ethan Evison and Alex Holder firing wide in the early stages.

Oakley centre-half Daryl Eagle headed against his own crossbar just after the half-hour mark, but Braintree took the lead moments later.

Jones was left unmarked to bury a shot into the roof of the net in the 35th minute.

Tynan’s side responded brilliantly and levelled just a minute later.

Midfielder Polley’s cross was headed into his own net by Matt Travell to take the sides in level at the break.

The Acorns then took the lead following a scrappy start to the second half.

Jamie Beecham’s free-kick found its way to Polley, to the left of the six-yard box, who drilled the ball home to give Oakley a priceless lead.

Braintree dominated from here on in as the Acorns looked to hold on for a crucial victory.

Captain Charlie Webb had a goal disallowed and Jake Thompson headed over unmarked from point-blank range as the Young Irons ramped up the pressure.

Oakley’s task didn’t get any easier when midfielder Ronnie Heather was given a straight red with ten minutes to play for what the referee deemed a poor tackle.

Braintree’s pressure took its toll, getting the equaliser their late pressure deserved when Jones slotted home his second in the dying minutes.

The Acorns will be disappointed not to have held on, but both sides should be pleased with a point in what was a tightly-contested affair.

The game attracted Oakley’s largest crowd of the season, 193, and beforehand both sides participated in a minute’s applause in memory of Andy Carter.