Iron back to winning ways

12:21pm Monday 6th October 2008

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Braintree Town bounced back from their FA Cup exit with a superb win at Blue Square South leaders Hayes and Yeading.

Sean Marks’ strike early in the second half was enough to give Iron an impressive 1-0 victory and ensure that they responded to their humiliating defeat at Kingstonian in the best possible way.

It was a game of few chances, though much of that was due to Braintree’s solid defensive performance.

An excellent challenge by the impressive James Hawes denied Josh Scott in the area early on and Scott Fitzgerald also went close for the home side.

But Braintree had their chances too and Marks fired wide after debutant Danny Hockton had helped skipper Brad Quinton’s cross back across goal.

Braintree keeper Craig Holloway’s one-handed save from Fitzgerald kept the visitors in the game.

And the Iron almost grabbed a half-time lead when Billy Burgess, who made a return to the starting line-up after suspension, saw his goal-bound effort blocked by team-mate Marks.

Braintree started the second half on the attack and Hockton went close with a shot that went wide of the target.

And goalkeeper Aaron Howe pulled off a good save to deny Louis Riddle later in the half.

But the Iron took the lead when some quickthinking from a free-kick allowed Marks to race away and score.

The home side seldom looked like getting back into the game after that.

Fitzgerald headed Steven Gregory’s cross wide before the end but the Iron held out to secure an excellent win on their travels.

Braintree are back in action again tonight when they take on Blue Square South rivals Chelmsford City at Melbourne Park in the Setanta Shield.