LUKE Allen was quick to hail Braintree Town's never-say-die attitude as they came back to win three valuable Vanarama National League South points against Concord Rangers.

Allen proved the Iron's last-gasp hero as he fired home the winning goal in the 98th minute of their derby against their south Essex rivals.

It completed a stunning late turnaround in a game where hosts Braintree had trailed to Adam Topley's spectacular 30-yard strike before Dan Thompson prodded the ball in from close range on 87 minutes to make it level.

That set up a thrilling finale in five minutes added on at the end of the allotted 90 by referee Will Finnie.

With several stoppages in that time, the extra period was extended into a ninth minute and that was when Allen struck the decisive blow, drilling the ball home after skipper Marc-Anthony Okoye had brought down Diaz Wright's cross into the box.

It brought three invaluable points that kept Braintree just two points off the play-off places and Allen felt it was a comeback that typified the Iron's fighting spirit.

“We left it late, but we never gave up and that’s the mentality that we have," he said.

“I thought we were unlucky not to be ahead at half-time as we’d had a lot of chances.

“They then went and scored a great goal but we knew if we kept plugging away, we’d get one at the end.

“It was a lovely feeling to win it in the last minute.

“We always believe and it was similar to how it was at Weston (Super Mare) when we were 1-0 down and went on to win it in the last ten minutes.

“We always believe we can win a game and we never give up on what we do with passing the ball.

“We went a bit long in the last five minutes against Concord but you have to do that sometimes and it paid dividends.

“I never thought we’d settle for a point.

“There were some half chances and I just knew that if we got one at the end then we could finish it.

“Luckily enough it fell to me and I was able to do that.

“Skip (Marc-Anthony Okoye) brought it down nicely and I always try to get myself in and around the penalty spot when a ball comes in like that to get the knock downs.

“I was getting cramp in my calf so trying to celebrate with one leg was tough but it was a fantastic win."