Braintree's trip to Dartford ended in disappointment as they lost 4-1 to the National League South leaders. The match was a tale of two halves, with Charlie Sheringham putting the home team ahead from the spot before captain Tom Bonner was sent off. Winger Luke Coulson netted the Darts' second despite their numerical disadvantage. Braintree pulled one back through Kyron Farrell's corner, but Dartford substitute Samir Carruthers extended his team's unbeaten run to 11 matches with two late goals. The visitors had nervy moments in front of a crowd of 1,028 at Princes Park, with Alan Dowson's men clearing a long throw from Braintree's newest recruit Jack Cawley. In the fifth minute, Dartford's Sheringham was booked after an off-the-ball incident amid an uneventful first half. Midway through the first period, a Sam Odaudu long throw looked set to drift out for a corner, only for a visiting player to clear when most appeared to assume the ball was set to drift out of play. The hosts went close in the 41st minute, with a Coulson corner causing problems and centre-back Connor Essam ending up on the ground, having tried to bundle home from close range. But five minutes after the restart, Dartford broke the deadlock, with the match a much livelier affair in the second half. Pierre Fonkeu was adjudged to have been fouled by Kyran Clements by referee Ben Atkinson and Fonkeu's strike partner Sheringham sent visiting keeper Jack Sims the wrong way for his fourth goal of the season. With 54 minutes played, Braintree came close to a quick leveller, though. Jon Benton's free-kick was half-cleared and, with an away player having sent the ball back inside the penalty box, Clements nodded just over. Fine work by Odaudu, four minutes later, then saw The Darts almost double their advantage. He drove down the left and delivered early, with Braintree defender John White's attempted interception falling inches wide of Sims' right-hand post. But the 63rd minute saw Dowson's side reduced to 10 men. Bonner was given a second yellow card inside the space of 10 minutes, although the centre-back felt the foul should have been given the other way. That didn't deter the Darts, though, who doubled their tally on 68 minutes through a stunning effort by Coulson from outside the area, which left the net bulging. With 18 minutes remaining, the visitors felt they should have had a penalty when Alfred Payne's cross appeared to be handled by a Dartford defender in the box - but nothing was given. Braintree did pull one back, seven minutes later. Clements converted a Kyron Farrell corner with a powerful header. And they had the ball in the net again in the 87th minute. Matthew Rush lifted over Darts keeper Joe Young, who did get a faint touch on the effort, however it was ruled out for offside. But at the other end, Dartford substitute Carruthers sealed the victory in the final seconds of normal time. He cut in off the left and bent his effort beyond Sims and into the far corner, even leaving Braintree's players stunned. The win sees Dartford go top of National League South, while Braintree will look to bounce back from the defeat. The match was an entertaining affair, with both teams creating chances. But in the end, Dartford's quality told, and they ran out 4-1 winners. Braintree will now focus on their next match, looking to get back to winning ways. The team will need to regroup and work on their defensive frailties, which were exposed by Dartford's attacking play. With the loss, Braintree will drop down the table, but they will be looking to climb back up with a win in their next match.