A late Ben Wyatt goal gave Braintree Town fans something to cheer in a pre-season defeat by another Football League side.

After losses to Southend United and Colchester United, Braintree faced League Two side Barnet at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium.

The game marked a return for former Iron winger Simeon Akinola, who was sold to the Bees last January, and his new side came away with a 3-1 win.

Barnet scored twice before the break and once after to open a three-goal lead, but Wyatt headed home almost on the final whistle to give the home fans a consolation goal to cheer.

In pre-season action elsewhere, there was also a late goal at HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS and this time, it brought the scores level at the end as Jody Brown’s team drew with Billericay Town.

Swifts had gone ahead early on but were pegged back and found themselves trailing 3-1 heading into the latter stages, but a penalty and an 87th minute strike saw it finish at 3-3.

Another side hitting three goals was BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT, but theirs came in a winning cause at Brentwoood Town.

James Webster’s team had to come from behind with a Matt Cripps goal pulling Regent level at half-time and an Aaron Condon strike in the 63rd minute putting them ahead.

A 75th minute own goal completed the turnaround for Brightlingsea.

FC CLACTON hit the goal trail on their trip to Border League side Earls Colne as the Seasiders eased to a 7-0 victory.

Billy Wales was on target and there were two apiece for Lewis Blanchett, Michael Runicles and Terry Rymer.

There were defeats for two other local Thurlow Nunn League sides, though, as HALSTEAD TOWN lost 1-0 at home to Saffron Walden and WIVENHOE TOWN were beaten 4-1 by visiting Stansted.