Braintree Town have made it into the first round of the FA Cup for the fourth year in a row.

But the National League side made it difficult for themselves against visiting Ryman League Harlow Town in their fourth round qualifying encounter.

The home side went down to ten men in the second half and held on to secure a 2-0 win.

The Iron dominated the play in the first half and had an early chance but Mitch Brundle’s powerful shot was well-saved by Niklas Freund.

The Iron increased the pressure on Harlow and it wasn’t long before they opened the scoring.

Alex Woodyard lifted the ball over the top and Michael Cheek got in behind the defence and tucked the ball into the bottom right corner past Freund for the lead on 14 minutes.

Sean Marks then burst into the area but Freund got down well to deal with the shot on 20 minutes.

Marks then looked to be in again but a great challenge from Craig Pope denied the Iron player.

Braintree went close again when Taylor Miles whipped in a corner and Freund punched the ball onto the crossbar on 29 minutes.

Harlow upped their tempo to create some pressure towards the end of the first half But, the Iron had a chance when a clearance from Sam West hit Ibrahima Sonko and fell at Cheek’s feet but Freund was able to come out and smother the ball on 41 minutes.

Freund was then called on to make another vital save from a Cheek downward header.

After the break, Braintree kept up the pressure and Kenny Davis had a half chance but his shot sailed above the bar.

Taylor Miles then played in Sean Marks but his cross for Cheek at the far post was too strong.

Harlow’s Junior Dadson then managed to break into the Braintree area but the home defence was able to clear.

However, the game changed when Braintree were reduced to ten men.

Taylor Miles was given a second yellow card for a trip on a Harlow player.

And Harlow almost made them pay straight away when Jared Smalls great shot on the turn was saved by keeper Will Norris.

Harlow then began to up the pressure on their hosts.

In the last ten minutes, Braintree managed to scramble away a corner after Norris had flapped at the ball and it fell into the box.

Harlow began to press the Braintree but that was to be their downfall.

Three and a half minutes into injury-time Harlow won a free-kick out wide and keeper Freund came up for it.

The free-kick was over hit and Braintree were able to break and with Freund desperately trying to get back Cheek was able to fire the ball into an empty net for a 2-0 win.