A first half long ranger from Bracknell’s Harry Crooksley snapped Chichester City’s sequence of three wins on the spin at the SB Stadium.

City went with the same starting XI that beat Sholing 3-2 in midweek for their latest Southern League Premier South outing.

Skipper Rob Hutchings started at left back with Ryan Davidson opposite him and Ben Pashley and Curtis Da Costa in the middle of defence in front of keeper Max Evans. Isaac Bello, James Sweet, Joe Moore and Lloyd Rowlatt accompanied leading scorer Harry Bridle further forward, together with Brandon Chebby,.

The visitors started brightly and forced a series of corners after Marcus Daws’ free kick was headed into the side netting in the second minute.

Chichester City - pictured earlier in the season - went down to a single goal away to Bracknell | Picture by David Richardson

placeholder image — Chichester City - pictured earlier in the season - went down to a single goal away to Bracknell | Picture by David Richardson

Bello launched a couple of throw-in bombs which were cleared and Chebby’s shot was steered out for a corner. Sweet was adjudged to have fouled the impressive Jamal Sharpe and Evans denied Sharpe before Robins captain Adam Liddle blasted one over.

Chebby won a corner which led to a goalmouth scramble and Hutchings had an effort saved by Gio Clarke. Bello blocked Ben Purcell’s attempt 16 minutes in and Rowlatt cleared before a Chebby ball to him was behind the Chi No10.

Liddle dragged one wide just before a super strike from distance by Crooksley bounced back off the stanchion and referee Alfie Finch-Critchley awarded a goal.

Evans held Purchell’s shot on the half hour and Bello was brought down for a free kick which Moore took and another Rowlatt corner resulted in both Hutchings and Bello having a go.

Rowlatt was talked to by the ref for a late tackle on Cooksley and Bello’s long throw led to a Clarke save on 37 minutes. A turn of pace by Sharpe resulted in Evans clearing Moore’s back pass without any trouble before Bello’s cross-shot was diverted for a Chi corner.

The first booking went to Harry Hamblin for elbowing Da Costa on the stroke of half-time.

Emmett Dunn came on for Rowlatt at the break and City started the second half well. Moore blocked a shot before James Taylor’s header for the hosts was ruled offside.

Sweet and Dunn hooked up, although Chebby’s attempt was wide. The visitors won two throws in quick succession down the right and Chebby lost the ball after neat play from Dunn and Sweet.

Jossh Boorn out-muscled Chebby in the 54th minute then Sweet lost the ball but Sharpe was flagged offside. Bello delivered a disappointing cross on the hour and Bridle, as happened on Tuesday against Sholing, had a goal ruled out for offside.

Moore’s overhead kick cleared a hosts’ corner on 65 and a snap shot by Bridle went wide 60 seconds later. Worthing loanee Matt Burgess replaced Bridle in the 68th minute before Hutchings’ corner was wasted.

Bracknell weren’t far off doubling their lead on 78 but Evans pulled off a wonderful save.

Davidson and Purchell got a talking to and then Hutchings had a cross diverted for a City corner from which Da Costa missed a free header on 83 which Clarke saved.

Dunn conceded a free kick on 86 after Bello launched a throw and Moore caught Cooksley and was booked. Sharpe earned his team a corner after the ball nicked off Moore as we entered five minutes of additional time, in which Olly Munt came on for Sweet.