An impressive performance saw second placed Boreham Wood deservedly run out winners at St James Park to briefly take top spot in the table ahead of Carlisle’s trip to Southend.

‘Wood dominated first half possession while creating few clear cut chances as Brackley defended resolutely before conceding in the dying moments of the half as top scorer Matt Rush grabbed a poacher’s goal, his eleventh of the campaign.

A second goal on the hour from Abdul Abdulmarik put the visitors firmly in the driver’s seat before Saints came more into the game but without reducing the deficit. Boreham Wood’s third goal sealed the win with Brackley’s late goal a consolation only.

“We are a side that is improving and we are trying to build on our performances,” ‘Wood boss Luke Garrard said. “We enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half and had a lot of actions inside the 18 yard box but not a lot of return. Thankfully we got the goal at the right time. I am really pleased with the three points but disappointed to concede from a set piece.”

“They were excellent,” Brackley manager Gavin Cowan said. “They are very fluent and don’t have a shape which is tough to deal with. We will live with a bit of regret because we did not put our best foot forward. There was perhaps a bit of fatigue but we can’t make excuses. We have to stand up to these tests.”

Brackley ‘keeper Jonny Maxted saw Abdulmalik’s low shot late but saved at full stretch in the closest the visitors came to opening the scoring while Riccardo Calder cut into the penalty area but shot too high in a rare Brackley attack. Rush found the decisive moment from close range in added time to send the home side into the break a goal behind.

Abdulmalik doubled the lead as Maxted could only punch away Jeff King’s fierce effort and the National League Player of the Month for October fired in the rebound. This sparked a Saints revival, Shane Byrne’s 20 yard drive striking the crossbar, but Erico Sousa sealed the win with a stunning 30 yard shot to put ‘Wood three goals ahead on 85 minutes. Brackley’s Matt Lowe scored from an 89th minute corner but it was too little too late.

Brackley Town (3-5-2): Maxted; Lyttle, Dean, Lilly; Nottingham (Waldron 46), Price (Brown 67), Byrne, Calder (Haynes 86), Pollock (Hall 75); Lowe, Roberts (Stewart 67). Subs not used: Gregory, Morrison.

Boreham Wood (4-3-3): Ashmore; King (Coxe 72), Bush, Reynolds, Newton (Ilesanmi 87); O’Connell, Brunt, White (Clayden 53); Sousa, Rush (Richardson 87), Abdulmalik (Norris 72). Subs not used: Dixon, Benton.

Referee: Callum Walchester Assistants: Keiran Forrest and Mehul Karia 4th Official: Andrew Hickman
Attendance: 1015

Pic: Mitch Davidson.