BRAINTREE Town extended their impressive run to 19 points out of a possible 21 with a disciplined if unspectacular 1-0 win over Tonbridge Angels at the Rare Breed Meat Co Stadium on Tuesday, writes RON FOSKER.

A match that had largely been fought out in midfield looked to be drifting away from the home side as the second half wore on when the Iron defence were by far the busier.

But they stepped up their game and after a short spell of pressure, Tonbridge for once left too many holes at the back.

Alfie Payne’s driven cross found its way to substitute Jayden Davies for a right-place-right-time tap-in..

It came after 85 minutes and although Iron had to withstand six additional minutes, there were no more alarms and the points were tucked safely in the bag.

Up to the late flurry, the match had been a cagey affair, particularly in the first half when attacks mostly broke down, or did not start, and shots were either wide or straight at the keeper.

The second half livened up and early on Tom Blackwell had two goalbound shots saved while at the other end Jack Sims charged well out of his area to thwart the onrushing Nathan Odokonyero.

Tonbridge then had three shots deflected for corners and another palmed away by Sims in a determined 12-minute spell but it came to nought and Davies had the last word.

Braintree: Jack Sims; Baris Altintop, Ben Tompkins, Joe Goodwin, Leon Davies; Tom Blackwell, Reggie Lambe, Alfie Payne, Charlie Wakefield (Jayden Davis 66; Lewis Miccio 90+2); Aaron Blair, Alfie Pavey (Shaq Coulthirst 68).