Brackley Town perilously close to National League relegation zone after Woking thrashing

Andy Whing’s side had matched the visitors for over an hour before a disastrous spell midway through the second period saw the game slip dramatically out of their grasp.

Matt Ward broke the deadlock for Woking 67 minutes in, rifling in on the rebound after Sanderson - completely unmarked at the back post - hit the woodwork with an arrowing header.

Sanderson then doubled Woking’s lead five minutes later, tapping home from close range after Jonny Maxted could only parry away a powerful strike from Harry Beautyman.

For that goal in particular, the Saints were the architects of their own downfall as Shane Byrne was cheaply disposessed after Aiden Elliott-Wheeler sold him short.

It then went from bad to worse for Brackley, as Sanderson skipped away from two defenders and drilled into the far bottom corner for his second, making it 3-0 on 76 minutes.

Woking weren’t done there, as Joe Gbode netted a remarkable solo goal to make it 4-0. The Luton Town loanee turned the Brackley defence inside and out before firing with power and accuracy into the top right corner.

Connor Hall’s goal deep in second-half stoppage time, on the rebound after a mix-up in the Woking penalty area, was merely a consolation for Brackley.

It’s a seventh successive defeat for the Saints under new head coach Whing, who is yet to collect a single point since taking over as Gareth Cowan’s successor.

As a result, Brackley are now just two points above the National League relegation zone after Morecambe drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Braintree Town and Gateshead picked up a valuable point against Sutton United.

The struggling Saints don’t have long to wait until their next game, as they play host to Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening.

Whether a quick turnaround is a good thing is up to interpretation, especially for a part-time club such as Brackley, but it’s at least a chance for Whing’s men to try and swiftly make amends.