A LACK of expectation can be used by Braintree Town as a strength this season, according to midfielder Billy Crook.

The 27-year-old Iron midfielder said it had been important this summer that manager Brad Quinton had managed to keep the core of the side together that won promotion from Vanarama National League South last season.

And just as there was no expectation on the team at the start of last year, Crook feels it will be the same as they step up a level into the top flight of non-league football.

Braintree are due to kick-off their season with a home game against FC Halifax Town today (kick-off 3pm).

It's not an unknown quantity for Braintree as they have spent six seasons at that level before, however, they will once again be among a small minority of small-budget part-time clubs battling against some big-spending full-timers.

It is certain to make things tough for them, but Crook thinks being the underdogs can work in their favour.

"It was very important to keep the main part of last year's group together" he said.

"People like myself, Luke (Allen), Nathan (McDonald) were there from the start last year and we had others like Josh (Hill) and Dan (Thompson) come in to add strength during the season.

"We built a momentum that got us over the line at the end of the season and we're trying to keep that same belief now.

"We know it's going to be a tough season but there is no reason why we can't do well.

"There was no expectation on us last year and we'll use that same mentality to push us on this year.

"I think we'll surprise a few people."

Crook believes that the lessons learned throughout the previous campaign, and especially during three tough play-off encounters, will hold them in good stead at the higher level.

He added: "We're not the typical non-league team; we like to play football.

"We know it's going to be tough, but you saw in the play-off games that there were differing sides to Braintree and we could mix it up when we needed to.

"We could be tight and tough to score against, like at Dartford and Hemel Hempstead, as well as being more expansive and we'll need to mix it up this season.

"We have to use the mentality that we know teams will come at us expecting to beat us.

"Last year, if we'd been one up, we'd have thought we had to got for two or three but we may need to be a bit cleverer this year and make sure that we're resolute first and foremost and hard to beat."