BRAINTREE TOWN 1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 1

Vanarama National League

Braintree Town showed once again that they can live with and match the strongest teams in the Vanarama National League.

Having beaten leaders Cheltenham Town a couple of weeks ago, the Iron ended their three-game losing run by putting a spanner in the title-chasing works of Forest Green Rovers.

The game was an important one for both teams.

Braintree were looking to keep their play-off hopes alive after three back-to-back defeats, while Forest Green knew a positive result was crucial to maintain the pressure on Cheltenham in the title race.

In the end, a 1-1 draw was probably not ideal for either side, but, after a reasonably even first-half, Braintree had by far the better of the second-half chances as they more than matched their lofty opponents.

The Iron named an unchanged side from the one that started at Barrow in midweek and they looked to make the continuity count with a solid opening to the game.

It was certainly a very open start that highlighted how both sides recognised the need for a win that would assist their respective league ambitions.

And it was the visitors who had the first real sight of goal.

In the fourth minute, Forest Green’s Keanu Marsh-Brown cross from the right was glanced across the face of the home goal by the head of Kurtis Guthrie.

It was a let-off for the hosts, but they then went close themselves just second later.

Braintree headed straight down the other end and only last-ditch header away by Dale Bennett got Sean Long's excellent cross away from Sean Marks.

The game became a bit stop-start, but when it was going, the pace was unrelenting and there were chances being created at both ends.

Only a timely interception from Aarran Racine denied Simeon Akinola a shooting opportunity after the Iron had put together a wonderful flowing move, while a break almost unlocked the home defence at the other end.

A long ball forward found Elliott Frear, who turned inside and eventually got the ball to Darren Carter, but his shot was blocked by a good challenge from Sam Habergham.

While the game was very open, though, the breakthrough came from the penalty spot.

A superb run by Akinola ended with him slipping a cross-field pass towards Chez Isaac, who managed to get clear after a slip by Forest Green full-back James Jennings.

Jennings then compounded his error by barging Isaac crudely to the floor and referee Brett Huxtable had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

There was a bit of a delay as Isaac received treatment, but it didn’t put Davis off as he slammed his kick straight down the middle into the back of the net.

It was the breakthrough Braintree were so eager for, however, the equaliser wasn't long in coming.

Jon Parkin caused problems as a ball into the Braintree area fell to a handily-placed Darren Carter about 12 yards out and he made no mistake in picking his spot to level things up once more.

It led to a period of pressure from the Gloucestershire side as their impressive movement off the ball stretched the Iron defence.

It helped to open a chance for Jennings just before the break, but he put his header just over the bar as it stayed level at half-time.

Rovers were unable to maintain their ascendancy after the restart, though.

The opening to the second half was a bit scrappy as play was predominantly in the midfield third of the pitch and clear-cut chances were at a premium.

One did come for Braintree in the 59th minute after the Rovers defence had backed off and Isaac was allowed an effort from 20 yards.

Unfortunately for the hosts, though, it was straight at keeper Steve Arnold, who made a simple stop.

Likewise, a mazy run from Guthrie through a strangely static Iron defence ended with a tame effort straight at Tom King soon after when a more robust finish was called for.

However, the Iron then had a run of decent sights of goal.

Arnold had to be alert to keep out a 66th minute free-kick from Mitch Brundle after Akinola had been fouled by Charlie Clough and Akinola was then denied by a truly amazing save by the Rovers keeper.

A strong run by Akinola was ended with him getting a fierce shot away and Arnold, who would have seen the ball late, dived low to his right and clawed it away.

The Forest Green keeper was then thankful to one of his defenders for maintaining parity as the ball broke kindly for Iron substitute Michael Cheek in the 70th minute.

As he raced clear with Arnold out of his goal, it took Clough to clear the Braintree striker’s shot off the line to keep it at 1-1.

Braintree then went even closer in the 77th minute when Isaac’s free-kick, following another foul on Akinola, was met by the head of Brundle and it glanced off the top of the crossbar.

The Iron remained looking more likely to go ahead, but they just couldn’t force a second goal as they had to be content with a point that kept them sixth in the standings and three points off fifth-placed Tranmere.

Braintree: Tom King, Sean Long, Mark Phillips, Matt Fry, Sam Habergham, Mitch Brundle, Kenny Davis (Dan Sparkes 88), Chez Isaac, Alex Woodyard, Simeon Akinola, Sean Marks (Michael Cheek 62).

Unused subs: Taylor Miles, Jack Powell and Joe Gardner.

Referee: Brett Huxtable.