A spirited second-half fightback and a contender for goal of the season from Mark Draycott were not enough to stop promotion-chasing Brackley pinching a 2-1 win at Supermairne.

Mark Collier's charges played much the better football over the 90 minutes but two headers either side of half-time condemned Marine to their second defeat of the New Year.

New signing Adie Adams partnered Draycott up front and the youthful pairing carved the home side's first chance of the afternoon.

Draycott picked out Adams' clever run but his shot was saved by Richard Knight.

Marine enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure but failed to get the all important breakthrough. Roger Emms came closest to breaking the dead lock with a fierce header from a Dave Gee corner.

Captain Steve Davies, who returned to the heart of Marine's midfield after a spell as a makeshift forward, coaxed another save from Knight.

But as has been the case so many times at Hunts Copse, Marine were made to pay for not taking their chances as the visitors took the lead against the run of play late in the first half.

Gary Wickens' corner was met with a firm header at the back post by a diving Simon Dunlop.

Marine started the second half with the same commitment as they began the first, but again they were caught on the break. Craig Fraley was this time the provider his cross headed home by Matt Glynn on the hour mark.

Draycott still had time to produce a moment of magic to give Marine hope of snatching a point.

On 75 minutes his instinctive 25-yard screamer found the top corner and gave Knight, for once, no chance.

Despite a gutsy final push from the home side, Brackley got every man behind the ball for the last 15 minutes and soaked up wave after wave of Marine attacks to hold on to the victory.

"The lads gave it everything but we just didn't have any luck," said boss Collier.

"We played well enough top certainly get a draw against a team with a budget that is treble ours.

"They've had two shots and scored two scrappy goals. That's what happens if you don't take your chances in this division."