Witham manager Tony Last admitted that his side's victory last night was a 'bitter, sweet result.'

Last was part of the Braintree set-up for 25 years as a physio, youth-coach and goalkeeper.

And although he was delighted to see his side win, he had mixed feelings following the match.

Last said: "Obviously it was a good performance from us but I also don't like to see my old club lose."

Braintree took the lead after half an hour.

Witham were arranging their wall when Dean Parratt scored from a free-kick.

But before half-time, Kevin Hawes headed home the equaliser from Paul Knights' cross.

The start of the second half saw Braintree apply more pressure and this paid off when Tommy Noble's header gave them the lead again.

However, the home side turned the game on it's head with two goals in two minutes.

First Paul Gibben scored a spectacular individual goal with a 30-yard drive in the 75th minute.

And it was 18-year-old Ben Lawson who snatched the winner after beating three players before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Published Wednesday November 6, 2002