Bromley manager Andy Woodman said his team lacked the required quality in the final third as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town. A late goal from Nathan Moriah-Welsh ended the Ravens' hopes of a point after JJ McKiernan had cancelled out Stephen McLaughlin's opener.
The result leaves Bromley 21st in League One, with just eight points from their opening eight matches. They have now lost three consecutive league games, a run that includes a heavy 4-0 defeat at Crawley Town.
Mansfield created the better early chances, with Michael Smith missing a hat-trick of opportunities before McLaughlin's 22nd-minute shot took a deflection to beat Liam Roberts. Bromley responded well and were level on the half-hour mark. Mitch Pinnock delivered from the right and McKiernan controlled expertly before firing a low finish across the goalkeeper for his third goal in as many games.
The recently-promoted side pushed for a winner in the second half, with Roberts making two strong saves to keep them in it. Woodman made five attacking substitutions, throwing four forwards on at once with about 15 minutes to play in a bid to change the game. "Sometimes you've just got to throw caution to the wind," the Bromley boss said afterwards.
The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Moriah-Welsh finished from close range. The defeat halts any momentum from Bromley's 2-1 win over Huddersfield last month and extends their worrying defensive record to 20 goals conceded this season.
Attention now turns to a tough trip to face third-placed Stockport County on Saturday. Bromley will need to find more cutting edge to improve on a record of just two league wins so far. The full squad available for that match is listed on our squad page.
Background and full detail: bbc.co.uk
Stephen McLaughlin confirmed his goal in the 2-1 win over Bromley took a deflection. The Mansfield Town defender said, "It took a few deflections on the way in but it doesn't matter how it goes in." The result left Bromley 21st in League One, with eight points from eight games. Their next match is away to third-placed Stockport County.
