Boreham Wood were beaten by their promotion rivals Worthing in a game where the Wood were leading through a Kwesi Appiah goal and in control until a straight red card for Chris Bush changed the game in the Rebels’ favour. Second-half goals from Joel Colbran and Ruben Carvalho secured victory for Worthing.

Luke Garrard made one change to the lineup after Saturday’s defeat against Chippenham Town, with Charles Clayden coming into the starting lineup to replace the injured Josh Hare, while Femi Ilesanmi moved into the back three.

Boreham Wood started on the front foot and really went at their hosts from the off, with striker Kwesi Appiah and Matt Rush a constant threat. Appiah opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a fantastic turn and shot past keeper Chris Haigh. Rush nearly added to the lead two minutes later but dragged his shot wide. In the 14th minute, Jon Benton had a good chance to make it two but fired his shot over the bar. Five minutes later, Joel Colbran was denied by Nathan Ashmore in the Wood goal.

In the 31st minute, Chris Bush was given a straight red card for seemingly pushing Mo Faal into the advertising hoardings. This had a significant influence on the game, as Wood now had to spend an hour playing against one of the best sides in the league with ten men. In the period leading up to half-time, the hosts predictably dominated possession but were denied by a resolute Wood defence. Boreham Wood were happy to reach half-time with their lead intact.

HT: Worthing 0-1 Boreham Wood

At the start of the second half, Wood sat back and defended their lead. This worked until the 56th minute when the hosts got their equaliser. It was a delightful cross from Ruben Carvalho that found the head of Colbran, whose powerful header beat Ashmore in the Wood goal. Four minutes later, Colbran had another shot, though this time it was blocked by Femi Ilesanmi. Faal fired wide just two minutes later.

In the 65th minute, Danny Cashman had a dipping effort that just cleared Ashmore’s crossbar. In the 78th minute, the Rebels took the lead with an excellent goal from Carvalho, who went on a weaving run before finishing well past Ashmore. Wood now had to go on the attack to try and force an equaliser and had a couple of late chances. Tyrone Marsh had a header cleared off the line in the 90th minute before a Wood corner caused a goalmouth melee just before the referee called time after five minutes of stoppage time.

FT: Worthing 2-1 Boreham Wood

It was Boreham Wood’s second defeat in a row after a brilliant run of form. Luke Garrard will want his side to get back to winning ways against Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Clayden (Agbontohoma 35), Ilesanmi, Bush, O’Connell, Mafuta (Sousa 83), Whelan, Benton (Dixon 83), Rush, Appiah (Marsh 68).

Subs not used: Abdulmalik.

Worthing: Haigh, Cook, Partington (Smith 64), Packham, Colbran, Spong, Rea, Carvalho (Tutt 85), Cashman, Babalola (Sorando 46), Faal (Willard 85).

Subs not used: Gregory, Obei.

Man of the match: Tom Whelan.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.