Three back-to-back defeats in the last two weeks have hit Braintree Town’s bid to finish in the Vanarama National League play-offs this year, but Matt Paine feels the team have the strengths they need to bounce back and seal a top-five spot.

The 28-year-old is currently on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage and will miss today's home game against second-placed Forest Green Rovers, however, he has been an integral part of the Iron's push for the play-offs this year and feels they have the ingredients they need to still seal a top-five finish.

“The team spirit, the morale and the will to work for each other are our strengths,” he said.

“Danny and Nicky (Cowley) have instilled that into all of us and we’ve all bought into what they have told us.

“Everyone is on the same page and we’re all heading in the same direction.

“The belief is second to none and I don’t think I’ve ever been in a team that has showed as much dedication and belief as this one now.

“There’s honestly no pressure on us.

“There was never any expectation that we’d be anywhere near where we are, whereas the bigger clubs’ fans expect them to be getting promoted and they come into every game with real pressure on them.

“We don’t have that but the results that we’ve taken from some of the games this season have been unbelievable."