Tiptree United lost after being ahead in both their matches this week.

Starting at Barking on Tuesday evening in the Essex Senior Cup, Tiptree were 2-0 to the good at half-time thanks to a brace from Tom English, but everything changed in a crazy five-minute period.

The Jam-makers conceded a free-kick just inside their own half and, when this was taken quickly, the defence was slow to react allowing Jerome Ingram a free run on goal where he beat Benstead with ease.

Less than a minute later, Benstead failed to clear and Borthwick gratefully rolled the ball into an empty net from 30 yards out.

On 83 minutes Lee Townrow received a yellow yard for a late challenge, but then got himself stupidly sent off in injury time with an off-the-ball incident which was spotted by the referee’s assistant.

Extra time belonged to Barking and on 98 minutes they gained the lead for the first time when Whiteman scored with a close-range header and Benstead was rooted to his line.

As time was running out, Tiptree went searching for an equaliser and got it — after three saves by keeper Stone, Liam White drilled the ball home.

So the match went to penalties — Coe, Coleman, Arlick and English netted theirs but Benstead capped a disappointing night when he smashed his penalty against the post.

Tom Mottram netted for Barking and two hours of football was settled by a missed penalty, but on reflection the home side should have put Tiptree out of sight before extra time and the game could have been over much earlier.

On Saturday, Tiptree finally returned to league action after a long absence with FA Cup and Vase competitions and goalkeeper Darren Gould made his debut for the club as they made the long trip to Norfolk to face Kings Lynn Reserves.

After a flurry of early chances, both sides took the first ten minutes to settle down, as the Tiptree supporters looked for someone or something to ignite a bit of life into the game.

United were dealt a blow in the first half when Seb Murfet was injured going in for a 50/50 challenge and was replaced by debutant Jack Wignall.

Things got worse though as before Wignall entered the field Tiptree found themselves a goal down on 37 minutes when Gould spilled what looked like a routine catch and Simon Deadman rammed home the loose ball.

Tiptree where soon given a mountain to climb on 40 minutes when the defence were pulled out of position allowing Setchell to break down the wing and cross for the unmarked Dwyer to tuck the ball home.

The Jam-makers needed to respond quickly and they did with their first clear-cut chance. Arlick flicked a header onto Tom English who twisted and turned before getting in a snap shot which was parried by Rix — but Liam Coleman was on hand to thump in the rebound.

Tiptree seemed to be a different side, confident and flowing, ambitious and attacking with a lot more urgency, and they were rewarded for their hard work in the 48th minute.

Gary Burrell made no mistake with a lob over the keeper for 2-2.

For the next ten minutes it was all Tiptree with English in the thick of things. First he had an effort charged down, but he ensured his scoring run continued as, on 52 minutes, he finished off a polished move by heading home George Lay’s cross at the near post.

Tiptree seemed to be in control now and had numerous chances that should have wrapped the game up.

But they defended too deeply and failing to deal with crosses.

The home side should have levelled but for Darren Gould at full stretch saving a second half penalty keeping the score at 3-2.

Inevitably Lynn did haul themselves forward with Dwyer heading a deserved equaliser, although Tiptree will be disappointed that he was completely unchallenged.

Manager Wallington decided to throw on loan signing Danny Stokes for George Lay in the final few minutes as Tiptree searched for a winner.

But with the last kick of the game it was Kings Lynn who took all three points as the tiring Tiptree defence departed again and the fresh legs of substitute Harper sprinted through to tuck the ball past Gould to make it 4-3.

l This Saturday, Tiptree are at home to Histon Reserves in the Ridgeons Premier League with a 3pm kick-off. Manager Colin Wallington will be desperate to put the back to back defeats behind him and look for consistency in stringing a number of wins together to boost Tiptree’s promotion challenge.

In the second round of the FA Vase Tiptree have been drawn away to last year’s finalists and league rivals Lowestoft Town, on Saturday November 15.