Brave Braintree edged out by the Hatters

Braintree Town were unable to extend their winning sequence to four games against Luton Town as the Hatters just edged a 2-1 win at the Amlin Stadium.

The visitors looked to have things tied up after 65 minutes as they went 2-0 ahead, but a brave comeback from the Iron saw them push their illustrious former Football League opponents all the way.

Braintree made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 in the FA Cup with Newport County on Saturday with Dan Sparkes in for the injured Alan Massey and Jordan Cox on up front as Dan Holman dropped to the bench.

Luton, meanwhile, made five alterations to their starting line-up from their FA Cup defeat by Welling on Saturday.

The early exchanges were fairly even as both sides tried to settle on a difficult surface that looked heavy again after the weekend game and subsequent rain.

But the breakthrough came in the 30th minute for the Hatters when Paul Benson broke the deadlock.

He latched on to a loose ball after Dean Wells had made a superb goal-line clearance from Andre Gray's initial effort and slammed it in from close range.

Braintree didn't go into their shell though and ended the half well before coming out with added purpose after the break.

They continued to look dangerous but it was Luton who benefitted from the Iron being unable to clear their lines in the 65th minute as Andy Parry fired in from close range.

However, the two-goal advantage lasted a matter of seconds as Dan Holman, who had only just come on as a substitute for Cox, rifled home a shot from 25 yards.

It was game-on and the visitors looked rattled with some nervous moments for the visiting fans.

However, the Hatters just about clung on to their slender lead as Braintree were unable to find another way through.