Braintree's FA Cup campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the third qualifying round on Saturday. The loss extends a concerning run of form for the National League South side, who have now lost their last two matches.
Jake Mensah gave Braintree the lead after half an hour, but AFC Rushden & Diamonds responded before the break through Tijan Tejan. The decisive goal came from Jordan Clifton with just twelve minutes remaining, sealing Braintree's exit from the competition.
This cup defeat compounds the team's struggles in the league, where they currently sit 19th with 10 points from nine games. They have conceded 22 goals already this season, a defensive frailty that was evident again in this cup tie. Their recent form shows just one win, one draw, and three losses from their last five outings across all competitions.
Attention now turns to halting this slide in the league. The team will be looking to improve a home record that has seen them win three of their nine league games so far, details of which are available in our standings section.
