Danny Cowley admits he will be pitting his managerial skills against a boss who he has the utmost respect for when he takes his Braintree Town side to Grimsby Town tonight.

The Iron boss will be in the opposing technical area to Mariners’ manager Paul Hurst, but while there will be plenty of mutual respect from one dugout to another, both will be desperate for Vanarama National League success on the pitch.

Grimsby, who are currently fourth, will be looking to cement their place in the top five, while Braintree, who are sixth after their 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, are keen to stay in the play-off race and get themselves back into the top five.

Cowley hopes that result against title-chasing Rovers will have pumped his side back up after a run of three back-to-back defeats, but knows Hurst’s team will provide another tough test for them.

“Results have a fantastic way of energising you and that one against Forest Green will have done us wonders,” said Cowley.

“We go to Grimsby now and that’s brilliant.

“I was there a few weeks ago and it’s a brilliant place.

“There will probably be a crowd of about five thousand people there.

“They beat Wrexham one-nil when I saw them and were really good. I thought it was probably the best performance I’d seen from a Conference National side this year and yet they were booed off. They didn’t look very happy and the expectation on them is huge.

“Grimsby have to live with that, but they’ve been great and Paul Hurst has done a fantastic job there.

“He is a fantastic manager and has been really helpful to us this season. He’s a lovely man as well.

“I thought the way he conducted himself in the play-off final last year when they lost on penalties was incredible.

“To have gone the whole season and to have lost in the way they did and to still show the dignity that he did, was credit to himself, the club and football.

“I was so impressed with how he controlled his emotions on the day.

“I’ve a lot of respect for him, but they’re one hell of a team.”

Cowley said he hoped the viral illness that had affected his squad in recent weeks had now left them and said Anthony Edgar may return after missing the draw against Forest Green.