BRAINTREE Town have secured a magnificent promotion to the Vanarama National League.

The Iron will be taking on the likes of Southend United, Forest Green Rovers and Oldham Athletic next season after beating Worthing 4-3 after extra-time in a thrilling National League South play-off final at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.

It is a superb achievement for Angelo Harrop and his side, after they gained revenge for their play-off defeat at the hands of Worthing last season in the best possible fashion.

 

Braintree took a 23rd-minute lead through Dominic Odusanya, who latched onto Tom Blackwell's corner and headed home at the far post.

But Ollie Pearce equalised for Worthing 12 minutes later when he brought down Kane Wills' ball over the top before finishing calmly past Braintree goalkeeper Jack Sims, to level things up.

The Iron went in at half-time level at the break but fell behind after 53 minutes when Jack Spong latched onto Pearce's pass and scored.

And things got even worse for Braintree when Leon Davies was stretchered off the pitch and was replaced by Lewis Miccio.

 

However, Aaron Blair equalised just after the hour mark when he latched onto a sublime ball over the top from Odusanya and controlled well before lifting the ball over Ollie Wright's head and into the net, to make it 2-2.

And Charlie Wakefield then put Braintree ahead five minutes later with a superb shot that flew straight into the top corner.

However, Danny Cashman quickly equalised for Worthing after finishing from Pearce's pass and neither side was able to grab a winner inside the 90 minutes, as the game went to extra-time.

 

Just when it looked like penalties might be needed to separate the teams, substitute Reggie Lambe dived low to head home Wakefield's cross into the area in the 108th minute to score.

There was still time for Sims to make an excellent save for the Iron but the final whistle went and sent the travelling fans into delirium, at the final whistle.