Sean Marks' 86th-minute header earned Braintree their fifth win in seven games with a 2-1 victory against Gateshead at Victoria Park.
Josh Gillies' fifth-minute corner presented Carl Magnay with the first opportunity of the game for the hosts but he was unable to beat Nathan McDonald from close range with a tame effort.
The Iron quickly responded and went ahead five minutes later thanks to Dean Wells who volleyed home Luke Daley's free-kick.
Dan Holman should have increased the visitors' lead but saw his drilled effort flash wide eight minutes later.
Anth Smith's men pushed for a late equaliser and made the breakthrough five minutes from time when substitute Ben Everson applied the finish to Jamie Chandler's cross to record his first goal for the Heed.
The away side were to have the final say however when, just a minute later, Marks rose highest to nod in Daley's right-wing cross and ensure Gateshead slipped into the relegation zone.