BRAINTREE Town squeezed themselves through to the FA Cup third qualifying round with a fine 2-1 replay win over Heybridge Swifts at the Dunmow Group Stadium, writes DAVID WARD.
It was at times a scrappy and feisty affair against a Swifts side who put up a tremendous fight to try and deny the home side their victory.
Two first-half goals set the Iron on their way but they conceded five minutes after the interval to give renewed hope to the well-organised Isthmian League division north outfit.
However, Angelo Harrop's side held on to book a trip to play Hornchurch on Saturday week, thanks to some stout defending, with Myles Anderson and Kyran Clements outstanding.
Harrop made six changes from the Braintree side that were lucky to escape defeat in the first game, last Saturday.
Two were enforced with experienced skipper John White and keeper Jack Sims injured, which meant a tough debut for 19 year-old keeper Alfie Marigliani who despite being put under severe pressure at times emerged with credit.
Harrop said: "It wasn't pretty at times but such cup ties never are but it's the result that counts.
"I'm proud of the players because we had four players out with injury from the first game which meant we had to reshuffle and we knew we were up against a good side obviously buoyed by their performance in the first game.
"There were many positives to take from this game and we did the job that mattered and we're through to the next round which is all that counts.
"I thought we did well to get that early goal and then get another and then felt had we scored a third, which we had chances to do, it would have been all over.
"But that's what the FA Cup is all about and naturally once they scored their goal it gave them extra confidence.
"I'm pleased with the positive way my players responded and yes we should have scored more in the second half but their keeper did really well and tipped over three goalbound shots.
"But we kept plugging away and I think deserved to win in the end and I always have a great love for the competition.
"Overall we were much better than Saturday with more energy, more creativity going forward and the players had that hunger and desire which was missing in the first game.
"But we now get ourselves organised and set for Saturday's home league game against Slough as the league always remains our priority for the season."
Braintree had the best possible start after scoring in the fourth minute through Joe Muscatt, who curled in a great left-foot drive into the far corner of the net giving keeper Callum Chafer no chance.
The Iron continued to press forward and from an excellent sweeping passing move up field on 17 minutes saw Willie Clemons cut in from the left to fire home although Levi Amantchi was on the goal line to ram the ball in and naturally claim the goal.
For the final 15 minutes of the half, Swifts came more into the game, scoring a goal that was clearly offside but the Iron defence stood strong.
The second half was only five minutes old when Ross Wall outjumped everyone in the Iron defence to head the ball home and set up an intriguing second period.
Braintree's defence held firm and Swifts' cause was hardly helped on the hour mark when Harrison Sodje was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, with referee Robert Claussen deeming he has stamped on an Iron player.
The game then became more fractious with referee Claussen issuing yellow cards to both sides.
But even with seven added minutes, the Iron firmly held out and had two chances to put the game to bed, in that time.
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