Frustrated Stringer Knows City Should Have Ruled Essex

Big rivals Braintree grabbed the last laugh with a late, late equaliser from Marcel Barrington to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Stringer said the leveller was painful - but would not add salt to the wounds of his players for criticising them for their failure to take all three points home from Cressing Road.

It was a meeting of two of the five joint leaders and Stringer, back at the club he took to the title in 2011, just wished City saw the game out.

“It was really disappointing to throw away two points at the death like that,” said the Clarets manager to the National League’s Oli Osborn.

“I think we had the better of the game - the first half was very cat and mouse but the second half was all Chelmsford, but we just couldn’t get that third goal.

“If we get it and it’s 3-1 I think it’s pretty much game over but we’ve got to settle for a point away from home - it’s not always the worst point in the world.

“Braintree are a good side, they’re up there for a reason but it was disappointing to concede with a minute to go.

“I can’t fault my boys. They were excellent and we played some really good football in the second half.

“They did everything I asked them to do but in football you sometimes don’t get everything you deserve.”

Stringer feels good things could be ahead for the club in 2018.

“If the lads can get anywhere near the levels they did against Welling, and that they did against Braintree, then hopefully we can have a good New Year,” he said.

“The supporters were magnificent. They haven’t been to Braintree since the year I took them up but they were outstanding.”