BRAINTREE TOWN 1 DOVER ATHLETIC 0

Vanarama National League

Michael Cheeks’ solitary goal at the end of the first half was enough to settle a somewhat scrappy encounter as Braintree Town ended Dover Athletic’s run of five straight wins.

The two sides had drawn 0-0 only a matter of weeks earlier in the Vanarama National League when they met in Kent and both had been in good form since.

The Iron headed into the game having lost just once in their previous nine outings, while third-placed Dover had won all of their last five National League games.

There wasn’t much to spilt the two on this occasion either, but what did come between them was Cheeks’ goal that earned the Iron another valuable three points.

Braintree made two changes from the side that started against Grimsby on Saturday.

Kenny Davis failed a fitness test after picking up a hamstring injury, while Mark Phillips hadn’t recovered from a knock to the same foot he injured at Eastleigh two week ago.

In their place came Chez Isaac, who returned from a hamstring problem that had sidelined him at the weekend, and Taylor Miles also came in for a start.

It was a lively start from the visitors and it was clear how they had gone on an impressive run of five straight victories that had lifted them to third in the table.

They had the first real sight of goal in the tenth minute when Jamie Grimes was brought down on the edge of the box and referee Mark Pottage awarded a free-kick.

If anything, it was a bit too close in and former Iron striker Stefan Payne could only scoop the ball over the bar.

Ricky Miller then had a chance as the Iron surrendered possession in their own half, but the Dover striker couldn’t get his shot on target after the ball broke to him.

Braintree’s first real sight on goal took until the 21st minute to come when the ball was worked to Anthony Edgar in a central position and he unleashed a fierce drive from 25 yards.

It was a great effort but just flashed wide of the Athletic goal as the deadlock remained.

It was almost broke in the 28th minute when Jack Parkinson met a cross from the left with a bullet header that cannoned off the Braintree crossbar and down into the home box.

With players following up, there was a goalmouth scramble that saw the ball eventually cleared but the linesman's flag was raised for an offside somewhere within the chaotic scenes.

It was then Braintree’s turn to go close in the 31st minute.

As Braintree broke quickly, a great throughball from Taylor Miles was collected by Michael Cheek, but as he advanced into the Athletic box, rather than hit it with his right foot, he opted to check back and was unable to get any power into the shot with his left.

In the end it was an easy claim for Mitch Walker in the Dover goal, but the game exploded into life right at the end of the opening half.

Dover shouts for a penalty were denied by referee Mark Pottage after Miller appeared to be felled in the home box and as play shifted to the other end, Akinola was fouled on the edge of the Dover area.

Miles wrapped his boot around the ensuing free-kick and Cheek was inches away from tucking away the rebound after Walker had parried the effort.

However, Cheek wasn’t to be denied in stoppage-time at the end of the half as he put Braintree ahead at the break.

A ball into the Athletic area, that appeared to come off a Dover player’s foot, was clipped by Akinola and with keeper Walker only able to palm the ball away, Cheek was on hand to slot it into the empty net.

It meant the visitors from Kent had to go chasing the game after the break, but they came up against an organised Braintree back line that boasts the best defensive record in the league.

The game became scrappy with clear-cut chances at a premium, however, Dover went close to an equaliser in the 69th minute.

Good work by Toby Ajala down the right got the ball in to Stefan Payne, who turned neatly and fired it into the side netting.

Braintree weren’t without attacking intent of their own though and Akinola saw a glanced header cleared off the line by Jamie Grimes.

There was a blow for the Iron in the closing stages as Isaac limped off with what appeared to be a recurrence of the hamstring injury that he picked up at Cheltenham and he was replaced by Jeremy Walker.

Dover stepped up the pressure towards the end of the game, but there was no way through the resolute home back line.

Amid the home delight, though, there came another injury concern as Akinola seemed to catch his foot in the turf as he raced forward and went down clutching his leg.

Seeing his striker carried from the pitch was probably the last thing boss Danny Cowley wanted to see but he could be very proud of his players once again as they held on to their slender lead for another three points.

Braintree: Will Norris, Remy Clerima, Sam Habergham, Matt Paine, Mitch Brundle, Chez Isaac (Jeremy Walker 83), Taylor Miles, Anthony Edgar (Sean Marks 72), Alex Woodyard, Simeon Akinola (Alfie Walker 90), Michael Cheek.

Subs not used: Chris Haigh, Matt Baxter.

Referee: Mark Pottage.