Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire admits he has been looking beyond his team’s 50-point target for some time – even before his side’s stunning win at Torquay United.

Their 5-1 win at Plainmoor was evidence of what Devonshire already knew and proved that they have the quality to be looking for a fourth consecutive top-12 Conference Premier finish rather than just looking to survive in the top flight.

They host AFC Telford at the Miles Smith Stadium tonight for a fixture that will see the club open its doors for free as they attempt to attract a big crowd for the game.

The Iron boss knew that his team hadn’t got the rewards their play deserved in a run of four back-to-back defeats, but a win against Gateshead, their impressive draw at Forest Green Rovers and now the hammering of Torquay set that particular record straight. Devonshire said: “We played really well and deserved it, but it was a result that we have threatened to get for a while now.

“We’ve done well in the last six or seven games and it was good to see us so clinical in front of goal at Torquay.

“There will always be ups and downs in football.

“Sometimes you will get what you deserve and sometimes you don’t – we’ve seen that this year, but we have played well recently and I’m glad that the boys got what they deserved this time.

“Now we can look forward and upwards.

“I have to say, I’ve been looking upwards for some time now and at where we can finish.

“I don’t see why a top 12 finish should be beyond us.

“That would be a fourth season finishing in the top half and with all the injury problems we’ve had this year that would be a marvellous achievement.”