BRAINTREE Town completed a successful five-game festive season by deservedly winning 3-2 at Chester on Sunday.
The Iron fought back after conceding a goal just before half-time to collect 12 out of a possible 15 points and consolidate their mid table position in the Conference Premier.
It left a broad smile on manager Alan Devonshire's face who was clearly delighted at his side's latest performance adding: "I think we deserved the victory and again showed what this small squad of ours is capable of achieving particularly with coping with five games within 15 days.
"I had to change the players around again to give some a rest and then we lost Chez [Isaac] early on with an injury before conceding what was an unlucky goal just before the break.
"But they showed great character and determination in the second half and everyone worked hard to make sure we won and collected the points."
It was also a fine return for young striker Jordan Cox, starting his first game for almost two months because of injury, as his second half brace ensured the Iron returned home with a win.
"I'm pleased for the boy who has had a frustrating time with injury recently and I have only been able to bring him on as a substitute for short periods as he gets back to fitness," said Devonshire. "He is still young and learning the game but he took his two goals well which will give him a lot of confidence."
The Iron, keen to avenge their home defeat by Chester back in August, had started with Cox and Simeon Akinola leading the attack as Devonshire was forced to rest Charlie Strutton while Sean Marks had not fully recovered from his ankle injury picked up in the New Year's Day win over Dartford.
In what was a fairly scrappy and tame first half in front of one of the home's side's biggest crowds of the season - 1,690 - the Iron were a little unlucky to go a goal behind five minutes before the interval.
The home side's Sean McConville cut inside from the left driving a right foot shot straight at Iron keeper Nick Hamann, but it took an awkward deflection off defender Alan Massey on the way and into the net.
This season the Iron have found it difficult to come back from being a goal down but that didn't happen here. Ten minutes after the restart they were back on level terms when skipper Kenny Davis lobbed a fine shot over home keeper Jon Worsnop following a Dan Sparkes corner.
A minute later the Iron stunned the home crowd when they took the lead and again it all came from Sparkes who sent over an accurate cross straight to the head of Cox who duly nodded it past Worsnop for his first goal since late October when he netted in the FA Cup replay with Weymouth.
The home side naturally tried to retaliate and minutes later John Rooney – the younger brother of Manchester United and England striker Wayne – headed just wide at the end of a decent move.
But the Iron rearguard, again led in style by Massey and Remy Clerima, managed to keep the home forwards at bay until the 76th minute when from a corner Rooney headed the ball on to Chester skipper Matt Brown and he headed home.
Any hopes the home side would then snatch all three points were dashed within a minute as the Iron responded in fine fashion, moving the ball straight up field and again it was the busy Sparkes who caused problems for the home defence.
His fine cross could only be partially parried away by Worsnop and there was Cox on hand to pounce on the rebound to send a right foot shot into the home net.
Despite this sudden setback the home side rallied again but the Iron defence held out and manager Devonshire brought on some fresh legs in the final minutes with Marks replacing the tiring Cox and fit again Dan Walker making his first appearance since the end of October replacing Akinola.
"We knew it would be a hard game particularly as it was a fifth in such a short period but to come away and up here and win was great and all the players deserve credit for the three points," added Devonshire.
This Saturday the Iron go to Gosport Borough in the FA Trophy Second Round.
Braintree: Hamann; Brundle, Massey, Clerima, Habergham; Mulley, Davis, Paine, Isaac (Sparkes 31); Cox (Marks 78), Akinola (Walker 83).Unused subs: Strutton, Pentney.
