Aldershot Town wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win at National League South outfit Braintree Town.

Anisius Lewis’ first-half header saw the hosts go into the break with a slender lead, but second-half goals from Basil Tuma and Michael Stickland gave the Shots the win at Cressing Road.

The Shots created the first clear-cut chance of the game. John Gilbert’s corner eventually fell into the path of Michee Efete, whose half-volley effort rattled the crossbar.

The Iron opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Lewis got in behind the Shots’ defence, and his looping header went over Shots keeper Nick Hayes and into the back of the net.

Lewis nearly scored a second soon afterwards when his effort went just wide.

Aldershot almost got back on level terms on 36 minutes. Gilbert held the ball up on the edge of the box before finding Hakeem Sandah to his left, but Sandah’s left-footed effort fizzed just wide of the near post.

The Shots were quick out of the traps at the second half and equalised in the 49th minute. Marcus Dinanga’s defence-splitting through ball found Tuma, who took one touch with his right foot before firing an unstoppable left-footed finish into the roof of the net.

Aldershot nearly went ahead on 55 minutes. Sandah and Gilbert combined down the left-hand side before Gilbert squared the ball to Dinanga, whose first-time effort went over the bar.

The Shots scored a winner in the 86th minute. Elijah Oladunjoye launched a long throw-in into the six-yard box and the ball bounced near the goal-line, where Stickland was left with a golden opportunity to poke home from two yards.

Aldershot nearly scored a third in stoppage time when Brody Peart’s powerful effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

By Luke Maunder