LEE Barnard knows Braintree Town have to maintain the momentum that they have been building in recent weeks to get themselves clear of the Vanarama National League relegation scrap.

The 32-year-old former Southampton and Southend United striker knows the importance of results like their FA Trophy win against Torquay United and feels they must carry that into the busy festive spell coming up - starting at Gateshead today and Boreham Wood on Tuesday.

“I think we deserved the FA Trophy win on the second half performance,” he said.

“The first half was a bit poor from us - but also from them and it wasn’t a great game.

“But the Gaffer got into the boys at half-time and it did the trick.

“We came out and I thought it was a professional job so that we deserved the win.

“We are building momentum and even the FA Cup defeat at Millwall was a positive performance.

“It’s important to keep building that in the league to get us clear of the relegation zone.

“This period coming up is massive for us.

“We have games in hand on some sides and we need to make it count.

“It is an important spell because games come thick and fast and we need to pick up points.”

Following Tuesday’s trip to Boreham Wood, the Iron’s next home game is the Boxing Day clash against Dagenham and Redbridge (kick-off 3pm).