BRAINTREE Town picked up three much-needed points with an impressive 2-0 win over Altrincham at the Rare Breed Meat Company Stadium, writes DAVID WARD.

In reality, they should have won by a much bigger margin for all their pressure on the visitors' goal and the clearcut chances they created, in the National League clash.

It left manager Angelo Harrop no longer a frustrated boss but one thoroughly pleased and impressed by his side's showing.

He said: "It was such a positive performance and I think we played some of our best football of the season, particularly in the first half when we should have been three or four goals up and the game effectively as a contest over in our favour.

"I think this is really a turning a corner for us this season as it were because we had organisation, commitment and endeavour from everyone but also played some exciting feet football and tremendous attacking prowess.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

"We only had the one goal lead at half-time and it always then leaves you open to the visitors to grab a goal and equalise but the players kept their concentration and we looked solid in defence and were always a threat going forward.

"We knew it would be a tough start this season for us with practically a new team of players and it's taken time to find the right balance and the right tactics with those players.

"We've changed systems and players around at times to get the right blend and in this game and the previous two against Rochdale and Halifax I feel we are now right on course.

"I'm really pleased we scored two goals for our fans who have been tremendous during the breaking-in and learning spell and to win a game which we should have done at Rochdale last week."

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Braintree certainly took the game from the first whistle to their visitors who are riding high up in the league.

Some of their attacking play was the best so far this season and any neutrals in the 726 crowd must have left wondering why the Iron had not won by a more convincing scoreline.

Harrop made just one change from the impressive performance at Rochdale a week ago, with Inih Effiong coming in for the injured Callum Powell.

Braintree's squad was stretched even further with Kyrell Lisbie injured alongside long time absentee Ryan Clampin still recovering from a hamstring injury.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

It meant two new faces on the bench with two currently unattached players - ex-Maidstone United midfielder Connor Kelly and right-back Rio Davidson-Phipps, formerly of Margate and most recently at Erith Town.

The Iron certainly always looked the more dangerous side going forward against their Manchester-based opponents and in the first half missed several chances and had a certain kicked off the visitors' goal-line.

The one goal that was scored came on the 18th minute when the busy and industrious Jermaine Francis headed home at the fast post after the latest of several promising goalscoring opportunities.

For early periods in the second half the Iron took their foot of the gas and it took some stout defending to keep the lively visitors' forwards at bay.

(Image: JON WEAVER)

Surprisingly, it took Braintree until the second minute of added time to seal victory and it was created by 'super-sub' Davidson-Phipps, who darted clear into the visitors' area where he was unceremoniously hauled down from behind leading to a penalty.

Up stepped John Akinde to stroke the ball low into the net, leaving former Colchester keeper Ethan Ross static on his line.

The result was no more than the Iron deserved on the day, against a strong and forceful Altrincham outfit who had been on a decent winning run of late.

Up next for the Iron is the home FA Cup tie against near neighbours Bishop's Stortford on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.