Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire has spoken of how he plotted the downfall of Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Grimsby Town more than three months ago.

The Iron boss was full of praise for his players after they ended the Mariners’ 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions with a 2-0 defeat at the Amlin Stadium.

Goals in either half by Luke Daley wrapped up the points for Braintree, but it could easily have been a more emphatic win.

Devonshire was delighted with the win and revealed it was one he had been plotting since his team's 3-0 defeat in the away fixture at Grimsby on November 17.

He said: “It was fully deserved because we played really well and could have had more goals.

“I thought we bossed the whole game.

“We weren’t pinned down at all and it was a game where every player was an eight or nine out of ten.

“Luke came up with a couple of goals, we hit the bar and could have had a couple more.

“It was an all-round team performance.

“They (Grimsby) have scored a lot of goals this year and they used four strikers against us, but my back four and Nathan (McDonald) in goal were all brilliant.

“But I don’t want to pick anyone out because they were all good.

“It was a great performance and it has to be up there with the best since I came in here.

“Grimsby are flying and came here full of confidence, but I thought we won the game quite easily.

“I said when we lost up at their place, when we had a few missing and played just one up top, that I could see a few weaknesses in their side.

“I said I couldn’t wait to get them to our place and I said that I fancied us to Dave Hockaday after the Forest Green game.

“They didn’t really pressurise us at all and it was just a great performance all round by us.

“We matched them up, we knew their weaknesses and the boys took on board what I had said.

“I think we wanted it more than them.

“We can’t afford to only have four or five on their game.

“We need to have everyone at it and then we have got a chance and that’s what happened this time.

“We are a decent side when we are all at it and we can’t wait for Luton to come her now next week.”

The defeat saw Grimsby surrender top spot in the league, while Braintree’s three points moved them up to 16th and within 12 points of Devonshire’s 50-point target he believes will keep them safe from relegation this year.