As they look to put the frustrations of their FA Trophy exit behind them, Braintree Town manager Hakan Hayrettin knows the importance of seeing a reaction from his players as they return to Vanarama National League duties tomorrow.

The Iron host North Ferriby United at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium (kick-off 3pm) knowing that they need to show a considerable improvement from how they ended a woeful second half at Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday.

Hayrettin was bitterly disappointed after his team were beaten 5-2 in their third round replay in South London and read the riot act to his players after they capitulated in the latter stages of that game.

But he knows they must look forward now.

With Braintree sitting just two points clear of the relegation places and North Ferriby in that drop zone, it could be a significant result to the survival hopes of both sides.

Hayrettin was quick to play down the importance of the game in regards to league placings, but he knows how vital it is to see a reaction.

When there have been other setback blows this year - like the 6-1 loss at Dover and the 2-1 turnover by Chester - Hayrettin’s side have always responded well and then gone on a run of good form and he knows how crucial that will be now.

He said: “Maybe some points are bigger than others, but I don’t look at it like that.

“People will build it up into a big game but we just have to roll ours sleeves up and go again.

“I tend to look at positives and it’s my job to keep them focused.

“I remember us losing when I first came in, but I slowly got them working how I wanted and I have to keep reminding them.

“If we (the coaching staff) take our eye off the ball and allow them to dictate what they want to do then they will fall into their comfort zone.

“We can’t allow that.

“We did if after the game against Dover, we did after Chester and we have to do it again today.

“Sometimes a negative result can act as a springboard, but plenty of positivity is going to be needed from everyone.

“Negativity around the place is not good.”

Hayrettin admitted that there had been harsh words in the immediate aftermath of the game at Dulwich, but, while his players knew how he felt, he was prepared to move on to avoid any negativity settling in.

“If I’m not seen to be doing my job in there and telling them what I think then there’s a problem,” he added.

“If they sit on their laurels and accept it then that’s not good enough.

“Once you’re in that mood, losing becomes a habit and you need to snap straight out of it.

“We have done that before and we now need to do it again.

“But certain people have to realise that I will not tolerate certain things.

“It’s not personal, but they know that now.

“I have a tendency of telling things how they are.

“That’s my nature.

“I wasn’t the best player, I wasn’t the worst player, but I gave 110 per cent for my team whether I was playing or not playing and some of them have to realise that that is what they have to do.

“Otherwise they won’t be playing because I won’t accept second best.

“I won’t accept failure in whatever I do and neither should they.

“They have to typify what I’m all about on the pitch otherwise they won’t be playing.”

Two players who are unlikely to be involved on Saturday are Sean Clohessy, after his sending off at Dulwich Hamlet, and top-scorer Michael Cheek, who Hayrettin said had been struggling with an ankle problem.

The Iron boss said: “He is not right and hasn’t been for a while.

“He had a problem with his ankle before last weekend and he’s not right.

“So we have to look at that and address that situation.

“He hasn’t been right since the Forest Green game so we’ll have to assess it and if he’s not right then it will give others a chance.”