Bromley manager Mark Goldberg bemoaned his side’s lack of ability to see games out after they conceded an injury time equaliser in a frenetic 4-4 draw at Maidenhead United on Easter Monday.

Bromley had a free kick in Maidenhead’s half deep into injury time but played it long rather than keeping possession, allowing the hosts the chance to launch one final attack and level matters seconds from the end.

Reece Prestedge’s strike to make it 4-3 had seemed to seal a second victory of the Easter weekend, following the win over fellow promotion contenders Boreham Wood on Saturday, before Dave Tarpey’s late leveller for Maidenhead.

The Lillywhites have dropped leads late on against Hemel Hempstead and Bath City recently, as well as missing a late penalty against Staines Town which could have rescued a point.

Goldberg was unhappy with the naivety shown by his charges when closing the game out.

“It's not the first time in recent weeks where we’ve had a lead going into the last minute and not been able to see games out,” said Goldberg.

“It’s a show of unprofessionalism I’m afraid. 

“We’ve got to learn how to keep the ball rather than trying chips from free kicks when all we need to do is just hold onto the ball and wind the clock down.

“We’ve got such an honest group and maybe too honest.”

The Ravens had found themselves 2-0 down within 14 minutes, as Maidenhead’s skipper Adrian Clifton had helped himself to an early brace. 

An own goal and then a scrambled Moses Ademola effort had the visitors level just twelve minutes later, before Dave Tarpey fired the hosts back in front early in the second half.

Bromley were level again through Pierre Joseph-Dubois and then led for the first time thanks to Prestedge’s long range strike, but couldn’t escape late heartbreak once again. 

When questioned whether the proximity of games over the Easter period had an effect on his side’s slow start, Goldberg admitted it can be trying for his team.

“It is difficult,” said the Bromley chief.

“You do get some strange results when its a Saturday and then Monday game. We did extremely well to come back but then go down again just after the half and then come back again, and then go 4-3 up, all credit to the boys. 

“It’s just that you shouldn’t have to score five goals to win a game. Four should be enough. 

“We lost Jack Holland and Rob Swaine and they’re the heart of our defence so it was difficult for us.

“Away from home, all in all we should really be prepared to take a draw. Our tally away from home has been excellent in terms of points and in terms of wins. 

“We’ve only lost one away from home all season. I suppose really we should be able to come here and say look if we have a draw. It’s just the way it happened, we were so close to the win.”

The result saw Bromley relinquish top spot in the Conference South as nearest challengers Boreham Wood beat Sutton United 2-0 to return to the summit of the table on goal difference. 

However, the Ravens still hold a game in hand over Boreham Wood and Goldberg knows his side must dust themselves down in time to face Eastbourne Borough at Hayes Lane on Saturday.

He said, “Of course we’ll pick them up and go again but its a bitter pill to swallow at this moment in time.”