BRAINTREE Town have closed to within five points of the play-off zone in Blue Square South following their 1-0 triumph over bottom club Sutton United.

Skipper Bradley Quinton's penalty early in the second half was enough for the Iron to see off the visitors at Cressing Road.

But the victory was soured by a knee injury suffered by substitute Robbie Martin, which could force him into a lengthy lay-off.

Braintree boss Lee Patterson was left concerned by Martin's injury but was nevertheless happy to see his side secure three points and keep their promotion hopes alive.

He said: "It's all about results at this stage of the season.

"I felt that we controlled the first half and had a couple of chances and tested their keeper a few times.

"I was confident that we would go on and win the game.

suffered "We got off to a great start in the second half and after we scored, we felt we would be able to go on and get a second or third.

"But we suffered a couple of injuries and that probably knocked us out of our stride.

"Sutton deserved credit. They put us under pressure in the last 20 minutes and made it hard for us.

"But our defence was excellent and Russell Edwards in particular was fantastic."