BRAINTREE Town boss Angelo Harrop heaped praise on his players after they sealed a National League South play-off semi-final against neighbours Chelmsford City.
The Iron booked a trip to play the Clarets at Melbourne Community Stadium on Saturday after clinching a 1-0 extra-time win over Bath City in their play-off eliminator, on Tuesday night.
Tom Blackwell scored a dramatic 118th-minute winner for Braintree at the Rare Breed Meat Co Stadium, to secure them a showdown with Chelmsford.
Harrop told the Braintree Town You Tube channel: "Massive, massive credit to those players.
"Our players have been fantastic this season but it was a one-off game and there was a lot of pressure on everyone.
"We trained last night, we went through real detail and I'm just so glad we did that work in, those extra yards.
"What a performance under pressure, under a big, big crowd and I couldn't be any prouder of the management team and the players and fans.
"What a game.”
Braintree had to be patient to secure their passage into the play-off semi-finals against Bath.
It was a tight encounter and after the deadlock could not be broken in 90 minutes, the game went to extra-time.
They grabbed their winner when Jayden Davis burst into the area and drilled the ball into the six-yard box, where Blackwell gleefully converted.
Iron goalkeeper Jack Sims was called into action to preserve his side's lead late on, as the home side progressed.
Braintree assistant boss John White told the club's You Tube channel: "I think for us it was about starting fast.
"It was a long trip for them and similar to what we had to deal with, last year.
"We knew how tough it was and we knew that starting the game fast would give us that big advantage, early on.
"I think from minute one to whatever it finished at, we were so strong and disciplined and full of energy and full of life and brave - all of those cliche words but we did it all.
"It was such a grown up performance for such a young side and we couldn't be any prouder of them.
"They did absolutely everything that we've asked of them and more and that just speaks volumes for the group.
"They're such a good group that want to do well, help each other, work hard and be successful and they've shown that on the pitch."
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