FORMER Braintree Town loanee Callum Morton says his loan spell at Cressing Road last season was a 'really good experience'.

The West Bromwich Albion youngster, who had a spell with the Iron in the 2018-19 campaign, was named man of the match following a sparkling display for loan club Northampton Town, in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Morton was on the scoresheet for the Cobblers in their 4-0 triumph over Exeter City, which earned them promotion to League One.

And the young striker says playing for Braintree the previous season has helped set him up for league football.

Speaking to the EFL website, he said: “I enjoyed my time playing in non-league last season.

"I was only there briefly, I think I played 14 games but it was a really good experience.

"It was my first loan and I was just getting to grips with men's football.

"It definitely gives you a good perspective of what it’s going to be like, especially going from Under-23s to playing with people who might not necessarily get paid unless they win the match so are really fighting for something."

Morton impressed in the National League South for Braintree.

But his time at Cressing Road was curtailed after he suffered a serious injury that kept him on the sidelines for almost a year.

He said: “When you get injured like it it’s all about how you react.

"I had good people around me and good people working with me so it helped keep me on track and on target for getting back into the game.

"Fortunately for me, a month after I came back from injury I hit the ground running again and was doing well."

Morton has impressed for Northampton this season from West Brom, scoring eight times for the Cobblers including a brace in their semi-final second leg at Cheltenham Town.

He added: “Having made the jump up from non-league to League Two, I’ve done even better than I would have imagined.

"I’m playing in a good team and I’ve scored goals. I think especially with me having been injured for so long, I didn’t necessarily expect it because I was a young lad who hadn’t played much football and Northampton really took a chance on me. Luckily it’s paid off for me and the club.

“At first I was a bit in and out of the team which is understandable with experienced players ahead of me, but once I managed to work my way into the team I think I’ve shown that I can be a threat and a good addition to the side.

“Being young and having such a serious injury recently, I just wanted to play football and I’m fortunate that Northampton have given me that chance and I like to think that I’ve managed to repay their faith in me with my performances since January."