Braintree Town beat Ebbsfleet United in National League South

This win and three more points, which pushes the Iron up to 15th in the table and further away from the National League South relegation zone, was certainly no fluke.

It was really down to a solid, no-holds-bar second-half performance where they outplayed, outfought and outmanoeuvred the full-time out outfit who had no answer to Braintree.

Braintree boss Ryan Maxwell said: "It's not only a fantastic result for us but it was also a fantastic team performance from every player.

"I felt we were well in charge of the game, should certainly have won by at least a couple of goals more had we taken some of our chances.

"We had set our tactics out before the game and every player played their part in what we wanted and we fully deserved our win.

"We look really solid at the back, grafted so hard in midfield and created several goal scoring chances and didn't take them.

"That was the one disappointment of the evening and we still have to work on that final pass into the danger area but I can't praise highly enough the energy levels, the commitment and work rate between all the players.

"I don't think in the second half they had any answers to our style and manner of play as we really at times ran them off the park."

There were two crucial moments in the game that ensured the Iron won and took all three points.

The first was thanks to a fine finish from substitute Stefan Ilic two minutes from normal time.

Ilic was set up by the impressive Jean-Baptiste Fischer and he scurried into the area to drive the ball into the net past keeper Louie Moulden.

The second crucial moment was on the half hour when Iron keeper Billy Johnson pulled off two marvellous saves, clawing the ball away when a goal for the visitors looked a certainty.

"I'm just pleased I was able to do my bit and pull of those two saves at a crucial time," said Johnson.

"It was important we kept another clean sheet and in the second half I knew we could win it if we simply keep pressing hard on their defence which looked at time quite suspect.

"I'm also grateful for the tremendous help I'm getting from the back four players right in front of me and we seemed to have grown into a close knit unit with everyone working and covering for one another."

Maxwell was particularly full of praise for right-back Wasiri Ola Williams.

Maxwell said: "He's not normally a full-back but I asked him to play there and he's come into the side and done really vital job for us and in this game he was outstanding - a great individual performance.

"We should have had two clear penalties in the first half when Shae Hutchinson (26th minutes) and then Luke Holness (36th minutes) were blatantly hauled down in the visitors' area - I just couldn't believe he ignored such clearcut penalties."

The Iron boss was equally unimpressed with the official on the hour when full-back Jay Porter running down the wing was crudely scythed down by Set Kahraman with the ball long gone upfield.

The tackle was right on the halfway line touchline, which led to a mass confrontation by both sets of players that saw the culprit receive just a yellow card.

Maxwell added: "Let's be honest that tackle was a straight red card in any game and how it was not issued is incredible.

"He even called both assistants over to him to help sort the matter out and then simply gave the fella a yellow.

"Then six minutes into the 12 minutes of time he added on he again failed to give us a penalty when Ilic was clean through and brought down from behind - all we ask for is consistency from the officials but sadly that was lacking in this game."

Despite all this the Iron held on and were certainly the stronger of the two sides in the second half and collected the three points they fully deserved.

Next up for the Iron is a home game on Saturday against joint leaders Maidstone Utd who Iron narrowly lost go last midweek.

"We move on a prepare for that game and yes we have a score to settle after losing to late goal at their place last week."

Braintree Town: Johnson; Ola Williams, Porter, Clements, Pennell; Crichlow, Johnson, Payne, Hutchinson (68 Ilic),; Holness (90+4Noel-Williams, Fischer (90 Conteh). Unused subs: Jones, Mbonkwi.

Attendance: 457