Mansfield Town

Matt Green put us ahead early in the first period, before the hosts battled back to earn all three points thanks to goals from Matt Paine and Kaine Sheppard.

“I honestly thought we became tentative and a little bit anxious. We looked nervous and switched off twice, but you have to give credit to Braintree,” said our boss.

“They were two poor goals to concede. Everyone around seemed nervous today, but we need to embrace that as we’re playing for a championship.

“We needed a second goal as a cushion to settle us down, but it didn’t come. But it’s gone now, it’s over and it’s done with. We have to move on.

“I don’t expect anyone to roll over and let us win it [the league].”

He added: “We can’t afford to be nervous now and it’s a test of character. I’ve said all along that it’ll go down to the wire and we need to win [at Hereford].”