ANGELO Harrop revealed some harsh words at half-time inspired his in-form Braintree Town side's impressive 2-1 win at Bath City on Tuesday night, writes DAVID WARD.

A vastly improved second-half performance ensured the Iron came back from being a goal down to score twice in the second half and earn a deserved win at Twerton Park.

It was Braintree's seventh successive win, scoring 15 goals and only conceding four with the victory putting them fourth in the National League South table.

Boss Harrop said: "We didn't find our movement and cohesion in the first half but after some harsh words in the interval all the players redeemed themselves with again a great deal of energy, effort and commitment.

"Over the whole game I felt we fully deserved our win and full marks to the players responding to the half-time criticism.

"Each game is different and at time you have to adjust your style in a game but I felt we were in full control in the second period and with a little more luck in front of goal could have scored more on the night."

It was a game of two halves, with Bath having more of the play in the first half as they dominated the midfield with the Iron not fully on to their game.

But the second half saw a complete reversal with the Iron controlling the game, creating several scoring chances and looking more like the style and discipline of their current form.

Braintree struggled to impose any authority on the game early on.

Bath went ahead on 16 minutes when Braintree were caught out in defence when a quick ball was played through for them to score.

Iron found their feet in the ten remaining minutes before half-time and Shaquille Coulthirst was unlucky not to score from close range, with home keeper Josey Casa-Grande pulling off a great save.

Gazette:

Braintree got their act together in the second half and levelled on 68 minutes through Aaron Blair, who netted from close range after a good build up.

With Iron keeper Jack Sims pulling off two great saves in either half, Braintree continued to push hard and they got their winner with six minutes left.

It came from another good build-up, with Coulthirst skipping through the home defence and clear on goal before being brought down in the area by keeper Casa-Grande.

Coulthirst fired home the resultant penalty kick much to the delight of the 24 travelling Iron fans in the 1,212 crowd, sealing a fully-deserved victory.

Next up for Braintree is a visit to Welling United on Saturday where they will face their former manager Rod Stringer, who is now in charge of the Kent side.