Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley has been quick to praise the team effort that has led to them making club history this year.

Cowley and his players have tended to get most of the headlines this year as they have orchestrated a place in the Vanarama National League play-offs.

That has continued this week, with Cowley being named as the Vanarama National League manager of the month for April.

Braintree's win on the final day of the month - the 3-0 win against Altrincham - saw them finish in a record highest-ever third place in the top-flight of English non-league football and set up their two-legged play-off semi-final against Grimsby.

The first leg took place at Blundell Park on Thursday - which Braintree won 1-0 - with the second due to take place today at the Avanti Stadium but Cowley has been quick to recognise the part that his brother, and assistant boss, Nicky, and his backroom staff have played in their success.

“This success is not about one person; it’s a group and we’re all cogs in the wheel,” said Danny.

“The players have been amazing and I get a lot of the coverage as well but Nicky is equally if not more important than me.

“His analysis of the game and his tactical understanding is unbelievable and we wouldn’t have achieved this success without him.

“That’s not easy to say when it’s your brother but credit where credit’s due.

“He has played a big part, as have all the management team – (goalkeeping coach) Glen Johnson, (performance analyst) Glen Skingsley, (physio) Steve Gracie, (assistant physio) Paul Barnes – they have all worked very hard to create as professional an environment as we can in the constraints we have as a part-time club.”