Finishing proved to be the difference between the sides in this game as Woodford took their chances, but Boro did not.

The return of Charlie Morris added a different dimension to the Romford attack, and he had the game’s first chance, a third minute shot that unfortunately only found the side netting. Woodford however, found the net after just eleven minutes. Boro cheaply conceded a free-kick in midfield, the ball was chipped into the box, Alejandro Makhado got in front of Scott Doe and with Matt Cafer rather caught in no man’s land, planted his header home.

Morris curled a free-kick – awarded for a foul on Lewis Smith – narrowly wide after 22 minutes, but after 28 minutes, the home side doubled their lead. Woodford broke quickly, and although Joe Heath cleared the original shot off the line via a post, and blocked a follow up effort, the ball ran kindly for Jaedon Phillips who scored from six yards.

Jake Gordon was set up by Morris after 36 minutes, but his goalbound effort was kicked away by a Woodford defender before Cafer had to make a crucial save as Woodford broke in the final minute of the half.

Despite a lengthy delay when Kris Newby required treatment midway through the half, there was surprisingly no additional time at the end of the first forty-five minutes.

The second half opened with Cafer twice having to make important saves to prevent Woodford extending their lead, once after his defenders had lost possession and then after the first chance had not been cleared.

Boro’s best chance to reduce the arrears came after 52 minutes when Smith and Morris combined well on the right and the latter’s low cross found Jake Gordon in front of goal, but he scooped his shot over the bar. Morris then set up Gordon after 61 minutes with another opportunity, but instead of a first time shot, he elected to take an extra touch, and a Woodford defender cleared.

Between those chances there was a scramble in the Boro penalty area that threatened a third Woodford goal, but defenders and Cafer combined to avert the danger.

Conditions became increasingly treacherous as the temperature dropped and the pitch began to freeze, and although Boro had the lion’s share of possession, were unable to threaten the Woodford goal to the extent that a point could be rescued.

Boro have now lost four on the trot in all competitions - the worst run of form of the season - but have an opportunity to turn that round on Wednesday, when Saffron Walden Town come to Mayesbrook Park.

Romford: Matt Cafer, Kris Newby, Danny Hurford, Alex Balisani (Bleron Ademi, 73m), Joe Heath, Scott Doe, Jake Gordon, Adalberto Pinto (Jack Glenister, 46m), Lewis Smith, George Cox, Charlie Morris. Unused subs: Camilo Restrepo, Warren Beattie, Jake Anderson.