BRAINTREE TOWN 1 SUTTON UNITED 0

Vanarama National League

In a reassuring change from what had gone before, Braintree Town were able to convert a half-time lead into three crucial Vanarama National League points.

In contrast to their previous outing against Chester, they held on to the points in the second 45 minutes against Sutton United with a 1-0 victory.

The game against Chester had seen a one-goal interval advantage overturned in the second half, but this time they held on after Michael Cheek had put them ahead before the break.

There was an element of good fortune, though, as the visitors struck the woodwork late on and the Iron were thankful to keeper Sam Beasant for a couple of wonderful saves in the second half.

But they held on for three very welcome points.

Braintree entrusted the job to the same starting 11 that had begun the 2-1 defeat by Chester on Saturday, but Sutton opted for five changes from the side that had started their FA Cup third round tie at the weekend.

That had seen them draw 0-0 with League One AFC Wimbledon to force a replay in seven days time but they had to refocus on league matters.

Braintree were looking to capitalise on any cup hangover and made an encouraging start, particularly from two early free-kicks by Millwall loanee Kris Twardek.

He had impressed in the game against Chester on his debut and a lovely delivery from the left from a third-minute free-kick was met by glancing header by Jack Midson but it flew just wide of the target.

That was soon followed by another superb free-kick delivery from Twardek - this time from the right – but this time it flashed across the box with no-one able to get a touch.

With no early breakthrough, the game settled down but became a bit scrappy as both searched for the quality needed to make the breakthrough.

It looked unlikely to come in the opening half an hour, though.

There was a chance for Sutton as Jeffery Monakana swung in a cross from the left that was met by Maxime Biamou but the striker was just unable to keep his header down and it went over the bar.

It meant things remained in a goalless stalemate but it was broken when a moment of quality finally did arrive in the 37th minute.

It came as Twardek won the ball on the left and Chez Isaac took it on before laying it off to Cheek in a central area.

Initially it looked like the chance had gone, but Cheek showed wonderfully quick feet to dig the ball out, steady himself and then be clinical with his placement past Sutton keeper Ross Worner.

It gave Braintree the lead to take into half-time – just as they had against Chester on Saturday – and they knew they had to come out after the break and build on it – just as they hadn’t against Chester.

The visitors looked to come out of the blocks strongly and had the early pressure after the restart as Braintree were tested at the back.

The closest they came to an equaliser was in the 55th minute when Dan Fitchett broke the Iron offside trap and went through one-on-one, but Beasant came out to make a wonderful block.

It was a warning sign for the Iron and the visitors piled on the pressure, including one cross from Biamou that flashed across the face of goal, but no-one was able to get the vital touch.

The next chance came as the ball broke fortuitously for Craig McAllister and he raced through one-on-one, but Beasant read the danger well again and came out to block with his feet.

Their keeper’s heroics allowed Braintree to come through a testing period and it let them gain a much greater degree of control on the game as they were able to get far more of the possession.

It didn’t mean Sutton were without a continuing threat, though, and they went desperately close to getting an 88th minute equaliser when substitute Matt Tubbs saw a fierce effort come out off the post as the Iron rode their luck.

Lady Luck was with them this time, though, and they were able to see out the game for three welcome points.

Braintree Town: Sam Beasant, Jerome Okimo, Sean Clohessy, Ian Gayle (Jake Goodman 65), Manny Parry, Jack Midson, Chez Isaac, Sam Corne (Harry Lee 74), Kris Twardek, Lee Barnard (Kyron Farrell 90), Michael Cheek.

Subs not used: Joe Maybanks, Alex Henshall.

Referee: Alan Young.