Braintree Town were one of the surprise packages of last season, finishing in 6th place, just three points outside of the play-offs; a late-season slump denying the Iron a place in the top-five.

Just two wins from their final eight cost Alan Devonshire’s side a crack at a place in the Football League – that run preceded by a sequence of just three defeats in 13 Conference fixtures.

Devonshire, who made his name as a player during a 14-year association with West Ham United, has overseen an encouraging start to the new campaign, with the Iron sat in 11th place at the time of writing, just three points outside of the play-off zone.

As one of the Conference’s part-time sides, it could be said the odds are stacked against Braintree, who have taken great delight in belying expectations to finish in the top half for each of the last three seasons following promotion from the Conference South.

Promoted to the Conference in 2011 as Conference South title winners, the Iron had twice come agonizingly close previously; losing out in the 2007 play-off final and the 2008 semi-finals.

Devonshire was appointed as manager of the Iron in May 2011, ahead of their first season back in the top-tier of non-league football.

The 58-year-old had previously managed Maidenhead United between 1997 and 2000, before taking Hampton and Richmond Borough from the Isthmian Division One South to the Conference South.

It has been a season of extremes for Braintree to date; winning six and losing five of their Conference fixtures, whilst only picking up the one draw.

After a start which saw the Essex outfit lose three of their first four, an impressive recovery has got underway, leading to five wins from a possible eight.

Captain Kenny Davis has played an important role in that run, scoring goals in the wins over Alfreton Town, Bristol Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers – against whom he was also sent off – to top-score with five goals this term.

The former Grays Athletic midfielder moved to Cressing Road in 2011 and has made 130 appearances since, scoring 26 times.

An England ‘C’ international, the 26-year-old signed a new two-year deal with the Iron last summer.

Braintree’s last Conference fixture ended in a 0-0 stalemate at home to high-flying Halifax Town on Saturday.

Speaking afterwards, Devonshire told the Braintree and Witham Times he had no complaints with a point.

He said: “It was two decent sides cancelling each other out really. I was pleased with a clean sheet as we defended well when we needed to.

“It’s hard to play against that when the ball is bombing into our box from long throws and all that.

“And it looked like there was only one side trying to win it at the end when we had a few little chances when we could have nicked it.

“But it’s our first drawn game this season and I’m not going to complain.”

Likely Braintree Town XI: Hamann; Peters, Habergham, Brundle, Massey; Davis, Isaac, Walker, Mulley; Cox, Akinola.