BRAINTREE TOWN 1 WREXHAM 0

Vanarama National League

Taylor Miles stepped off the bench to score with his first touch of the game from a stunning free-kick that put an end to Braintree Town’s four-game losing run.

Miles was introduced in the aftermath of a foul on Simeon Akinola that earned Wrexham’s Mark Carrington the first of two cautions in the 74th minute.

His first action was to take the free-kick and he unleashed a memorable shot that flew past Rhys Taylor and found the back of the net.

In the end, it proved decisive as Braintree wrapped up their first Vanarama National League win since a 2-1 victory at Tranmere on December 5.

There was just one change for Braintree from the side that lost 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

That meant Dan Sparkes dropped out through illness and Peterborough United loanee Harry Anderson came back into the starting line-up.

It was a cagey start from both sides as they found their feet on the testing surface and adapted to the blustery conditions overhead.

The pitch looked far firmer and drier than it had done in recent weeks, but it was still difficult for players to keep their feet and to judge the run and bounce of the ball.

Once things did settle, though, it was the Welsh side who looked more threatening in the opening stages with Kayden Jackson looking particularly dangerous down the Wrexham right.

The closest they came to breaking the deadlock in the first quarter of an hour was when a ball over the top saw Wes York race clear.

Despite the close attentions of Remy Clerima, the Wrexham player got his shot away, but fortunately for Braintree, Michael Crowe made a great save and the ball could be cleared to safety.

The Iron did start to see more of the possession and were able to forge periods of pressure themselves.

Harry Anderson broke from midfield and only a last-ditch diving block by Emmanuelle Smith prevented his shot from reaching the target, while a good spell for the hosts ended with Alex Woodyard scuffing an effort just past the post.

At the other end, the bounce of the ball on the uneven surface almost undid Braintree as Matt Fry lost possession on the edge of the box and Yeovil loanee Mark Beck pounced on the opportunity.

However, Crowe was alert once more and made a smart save low to his right to maintain parity.

Beck was involved again in the closing minutes of the half when a free-kick from wide on the Wrexham right found the striker’s head, but he couldn’t direct it on target.

It meant it stayed level at the break and that was how it stayed in the opening part of the second half.

Wrexham still carried a greater threat, but the Braintree defence showed great discipline and worked extremely hard in the testing conditions to deny clear-cut opportunities.

In fact it was the hosts who had the first real sight of goal in the 65th minute when a free-kick saw the ball break to Kenny Davis in the Wrexham box.

The Iron skipper had time to let the ball drop and size up the goal, but his effort was high and wide of the target.

However, the breakthrough did come in the 74th minute and it came in dramatic fashion.

Having weathered a spell of Wrexham pressure, Braintree broke with Simeon Akinola racing forward and he was felled by a challenge that earned Mark Carrington a yellow card.

After the free-kick had been given, Iron boss Danny Cowley made a change with Taylor Miles replacing Anderson and it was a stunning introduction for the former Concord Rangers midfielder.

Miles stepped forward and sent an incredible free-kick into the back of the Wrexham net with his first touch to put the hosts ahead.

It was reminiscent of the free-kick that Miles fired home at Altrincham earlier in the season and completely stunned the visitors.

It took all the wind out of their sails, while Braintree looked energised and they were further boosted for the final ten minutes of the game when the Welsh side were reduced to ten men.

As Akinola broke clear, he was caught by Carrington again and the referee had no doubt in brandishing a red card this time.

There was suddenly more space for the Iron to attack and substitute Sean Marks dodged his way through and unleashed a shot from 20 yards.

It had beaten Wrexham keeper Rhys Taylor but came back off the outside of the post as the lead stayed at a slender single goal.

Wrexham pressed hard in the final minutes and a fingertip save by Crowe kept the Iron ahead as they held on to their advantage for a valuable three-point haul.

Braintree: Michael Crowe, Remy Clerima, Mark Phillips, Matt Fry, Sam Habergham, Matt Paine, Kenny Davis (Chez Isaac 83), Alex Woodyard, Harry Anderson (Taylor Miles 74), Simeon Akinola, Michael Cheek (Sean Marks 63).

Subs not used: Anthony Edgar, Chris Haigh.

Referee: Chris Powell.