One goal was enough to earn Braintree three valuable points and put an end to the run of six games without a victory which had all but quashed their promotion hopes.

The chances of Iron finishing in the top three remains on the slim side although a few more displays like this one could well put them back in the running.

The time had come for some tough talking and manager Trevor Gunn obviously got his pre-match message home judging by the players determined approach right from the kick off.

Despite having to make changes to the line up including the introduction of new signing of John Devine from Heybridge Swifts, Iron quickly settled, although control was always going to be difficult on a bumpy surface.

To restore confidence Braintree needed the boost of an early goal and they did not have long to wait with what was to prove the match winning strike coming in the 17th minute.

Quick to spot the possible opening, Simon Milton created a path through the middle to send Stef Kendall and John Devine in pursuit and despite the intervention of a defender, Kendall just managed to apply the final touch to turn the ball over the line.

There was an immediate response from the home side and twice in quick succession John Cheesewright had to react smartly to keep out a possible equaliser.

But generally Braintree were having the better of things and with Paul Knight doing a lot of useful work alongside the midfield maestro Milton, the visitors were well in control.

With their all round commitment shining through, Braintree invariably produced the more likely scoring chances.

Devine made a good impression on his senior debut and linked up well with the lively Kendall while Terry Rayner had one of his best games to date.

The second half saw Braintree continuing to make progress, although play became fragmented at times with frequent stoppages.

One lengthy delay came when Devine had to receive attention after being cynically brought down just short of the penalty area as he raced goalwards all set to score.

Braintree's best chance of a second goal fell to Kendall who was just unable to make proper contact following another delightful Milton opening.

Kendall then turned provider to send Devine through only to see his shot blocked by the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, Braintree looked rock solid at the back with John Bishop particularly dominant in the air and it was not until the game was gone into added time that Leatherhead came really close to spoiling Iron's day.

In a last ditch attempt O'Brien let go with a powerful long range effort that swerved just wide of Cheesewright's upright much to the relief of the visitors.

So with these three most welcome points Braintree retained second place in Division One.

Anything can still happen with half a dozen clubs very much in the promotion race which has every indication of going to the wire

Braintree Town: Cheesewright, Hunter, Tanner, Cawley, Bishop, Milton, Smith, Knight, Devine, Kendall, (Betson) and Rayner.

Forthcoming fixture: Saturday March 27 v Chertsey Town, Ryman League at Cressing Road, (special note: kick off 1pm)

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.