Patrick Ada’s controversial 51st-minute red card proved the turning point for Ebbsfleet in Blue Square Bet Premier on Tuesday night.

Ada saw red for denying Sean Marks an obvious goalscoring opportunity but it looked a harsh call by referee Charles Breakspear, who opted to consult with his assistant before showing the red card.

At that stage the contest was evenly poised. Braintree started off well but the Fleet came back into the first half strongly and hit the post through Tom Phipp before half-time.

But once down to 10 men, the Fleet withdrew Nathan Elder and much of their attacking threat went with him. They held out for nearly 20 minutes but Kenny Davis’ wonderful 25-yard strike was a deserved winner for Braintree.

The closest either side came to a goal in the first half was five minutes before the break. Braintree quickly regretted their decision to take a quick corner as the Fleet stole the ball back and broke at pace. Phipp threaded an excellent pass to Liam Enver-Marum (pictured), who returned the favour with a deep cross that Phipp volleyed through a sea of bodies only to see the ball come back off the crossbar.

After the break, Enver-Marum set up Neil Barrett, whose low drive was parried away by keeper Danny Naisbitt but that was as good as it got as Braintree took control against 10 men.

The only goal came 20 minutes from time when substitute Phil Walsh’s efforts to clear the ball off the line were not rewarded as the ball fell to Davis, who prodcuced an expert long-range finish.

Daniel Sparkes twice hit the post for Braintree late on although striker Marks also had an early bath, collecting a second yellow card in stoppage time for a late challenge on Fleet skipper Paul Lorraine.

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