MAIDENHEAD UNITED 0 BRAINTREE TOWN 1

Vanarama National League

Cameron James’ second half goal ended Braintree Town’s eight-game wait for a Vanarama National League as they closed 2018 with a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Maidenhead United.

The three points may not have been enough for the Iron to have moved off the foot of the table but could prove significant in their survival battle.

It was their first win since Hakan Hayrettin was appointed as permanent manager and Maidenhead, who are managed by former Braintree boss Alan Devonshire, are also in the drop zone.

So to take three points off a relegation rival, as well as keeping a first clean sheet since the 1-0 win at Gateshead on September 15 will have come as a huge relief to everyone at the club.

There were two changes for the Iron from the side that was beaten 4-2 at Ebbsfleet on Boxing Day as Jon Muleba and Justin Amaluzor made returns to the side.

That saw Marcel Barrington drop to the bench, but there was no place for Ejiro Okosieme in the matchday squad to face the Magpies.

It was a lively start from both sides as they both recognised the need to get on the front foot, but clear cut chances were at a premium in the opening minutes.

The Iron did have a let-off on nine minutes when a ball through to Josh Kelly found the Maidenhead man unmarked and he tucked it into the net, however, celebrations were cut short by the raising of the linesman’s flag for offside.

Braintree kept pressing at the other end, though, and only an excellent block from the home defence denied them an opener on 30 minutes.

Kelly looked the most likely to grab an opener for the hosts, but offside flags thwarted his efforts on a couple of other occasions and it was Braintree who threatened as the half drew to a close.

On 43 minutes, Iron striker Callum Morton broke on goal and it took the combined efforts of former Braintree centre half Alan Massey and Alfie Kilgour to block him out and make the clearance.

That ensured the game stayed goalless at the break as neither side was able to find the breakthrough.

Braintree had to be disciplined at the back in the opening minutes of the second half as Maidenhead pressed forward, but the Iron then began to get on the front foot again themselves.

They felt aggrieved not to get a penalty on 53 minutes when Amaluzor appeared to be felled in the box.

No decision was forthcoming from referee Sam Purkiss but another opening swiftly followed and it took a great save from another ex-Iron player – goalkeeper Carl Pentney – to deny Morton from close range as the game approached the hour mark.

They didn’t have to wait too much longer to take the lead, though.

On 68 minutes, Braintree got the breakthrough they craved when Colchester United loanee James got in at the near post from a corner and headed the ball in to put the visitors ahead.

Maidenhead knew they had to chase the game now and it took a save from Iron keeper Ben Killip to deny Dave Tarpey from close range before Rene Steer drove a shot over the crossbar.

However the Magpies were unable to find a way through and the Iron held on to their slender, but so important, lead.

Braintree Town: Ben Killip, Jon Muleba, Joe Ellul, Ricky Gabriel, Kodi Lyons-Foster, Oscar Borg (Marcel Barrington 85), Cameron James, Courtney Richards, Lyle Della-Verde (Luke Allen 79), Callum Morton, Justin Amaluzor (Mo Sagaf 90).

Subs not used: Taylor Curran, Nick Clayton-Phillips.

Referee: Sam Purkiss.