Braintree Town manager Brad Quinton said he was “proud” of his players as they stayed positive until the end and got what he felt they deserved from their derby clash with Chelmsford City.

The Iron boss was happy to see Marcel Barrington fire home in stoppage-time as the Iron and Clarets shared a point apiece in a 2-2 Vanarama National League South Boxing Day draw.

A fairly even first-half ended with the two Essex rivals locked together as Phil Roberts’ goal cancelled out an early Michael Spillane strike, but it was Chelmsford who edged ahead after the break.

Kudus Oyenega picked himself up after being fouled to fire home a 53rd minute penalty and they held on to that lead until time added on at the end of the game.

However, the Iron kept pressing and Quinton felt it was fair that Barrington’s goal earned his team some reward from their Boxing Day endeavours.

He said: “We were positive that we’d get the equaliser, but fair play to Chelmsford as they came out at the start of the second half and really gave us a game.

“Whether it was a penalty or not, the referee gave it and the lad put it away, so they deserved to be two-one up, but I was proud of my boys and the manner in which they never gave up.

“We stayed positive and I felt they were very good substitutions that we made as they were attacking for us and got us on the front foot at the end.

“I encourage the boys to be positive and to keep passing the ball, to keep believing in what they are doing.

“Marcel took his chance really well and I was pleased to get the point as I feel that a draw was the fair result overall.

“That’s my honest opinion – they did very well in the second half but we finished the game very well indeed."