A MUCH improved second half performance that included two well-taken goals ensured Braintree Town returned to winning ways after a four week break from Conference Premier action with a 2-1 victory over Alfreton Town.
"To bounce back in style after a ten day break without a game and no league action for a month is full credit to all the players because this was a resounding all-round team effort," said manager Alan Devonshire. "I felt we should have won by four or five goals because on the day we were far the better side.
"We had a nice balance and shape to the side and fully deserved our win and I think the visitors got off lightly.
"Our new striker Bernard Mensah was out with an injury, winger James Mulley was injured in the warm up with a groin strain and then we lost Jordan Cox after only 18 minutes with a ligament injury.
"But all the players responded in an excellent way and having to bring on early, a not fully fit Sean Marks, who then scored a fantastic headed goal to give us the lead on 62 minutes was a real bonus.
"Sean always gives you everything even when not fully fit and is a great example to the younger players."
Marks, who is due to become a father in the next few days, said his 62 minute goal was a typical training ground routine adding: "I deliberately came in at the back unmarked from Danny Sparkes' left wing corner and had a clear run to head the ball home.
"I'm delighted not only for myself but for all the team because I think we played well, particularly in the second half with more penetration.
"I was unlucky not get a second five minutes from the end with a downward header that the keeper did so well to just stick his foot out to stop in from going in.
"We know we now have three hard away games in the seven days coming up but we know what we are capable of and I'm confident we can get ourselves into the top half of the table."
Devonshire's side are now on 42 points and only eight points off his set target at the start of the season but they will now be without Cox for at least two weeks, however, Mensah should be fit for Saturday's trip to Halifax.
"We're doing okay and are quite happy to now be playing away where we seem to do better this season and we will get that 50 point target,"Devonshire added.
Against the relegation threatened visitors, the Iron were well in charge for most of the game and after a sluggish first half should have scored more than two goals, the second coming from Chez Isaac on 70 minutes courtesy of more good work by Simeon Akinola.
Losing Cox early on was a blow to the Iron - he was stretchered off with a bad leg injury - because he had set up an early chance for Isaac to score only to be ruled out for offside.
Clear-cut opportunities were rare with both defences on top and snuffing out attacks as the game stayed locked in stalemate at half-time.
After the interval the Iron had more purpose to their game and a scramble in the goalmouth was almost diverted into his own net by Alfreton full-back Jordan Keane, but keeper Jason Mooney somehow managed to smother the ball before it crossed the line.
Moving up in attack full-back Mitch Brundle saw his fierce shot parried by Mooney and then cleared by Keane, but it was a brief respite for the visitors.
In the 62nd minute, Braintree won a corner, which was delivered beautifully on to the head of Marks, who unleashed a bullet header that flashed past Mooney, before eight minutes later Isaac turned in Akinola's cross for the all important second.
There was an extra spring in Braintree's step after the goals and they controlled the game from then on to stifle any hopes of an Alfreton comeback.
The Iron should have scored again with Isaac (68) Sparkes (73) and Akinola (82) all wasting chances to complete what should have been a goal rout.
The visitors did give themselves some hope in the third minute of added on time when substitute Anthony Howell prodded the ball in after Iron keeper Nick Hamann had made a great save from Bradley Wood's long-distance strike, but it was too little too late.
Admittedly the visitors were overall a poor side and they should have been reduced to ten men shortly before the interval when striker Karl Hawley raised his fist into the face of Matt Paine as the Iron midfielder was about to take a throw-in but referee Chris Powell, who was close to the incident, failed to do take action, persuading both players to shake hands.
But it didn't spoil the Iron's day and they finished the game well in charge and fully deserved their win and three points.
Braintreee Town: Hamann; Brundle, Massey, Clerima, Habergham; Isaac, Davis, Paine, Sparkes (Maybanks 90); Akinola, Cox (Marks 18). Unused subs: Peters, Pentney.
Attendance 468
