Braintree Town 0 AFC Telford United 2

But they at least gave their supporters, both those that travelled and those watching on TV, something to shout about with a fine display at Cressing Road.

Manager Steve Kittrick made just one change from the XI which started last Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at home to Gateshead.

James Montgomery made his Conference debut in goal replacing Freddy Hall who is on international duty with Bermuda.

On the bench striker Sam Smith made a welcome return having shaken off a hamstring injury.

Braintree offered free entry to supporters of both sides for the game, which was being televised live on BT Sport.

And the game kicked-off in front of a noisy and lively crowd of more than 2,000 under the glare of the Cressing Road floodlights.

The home side had the first real chance when Sean Marks took aim with a crisp left-footed strike which Montgomery held comfortably on eight minutes.

But a Sean Clancy corner at the other end briefly had Braintree's defence looking less than convincing as the ball was eventually hacked clear of the area.

Braintree winger Simeon Akinola was not far away with a dipping, fizzing volley from 20 yards on the 15 minute mark which drifted just over the bar.

But Wolves loanee Bradley Reid might have done better for Telford with a decent Glenn Matthews lofted ball into the box which was just claimed by goalkeeper Nick Hammann in the nick of time.

The same player snatched at an inviting opening two minutes later after good work by Tony Gray played him in just outside the box.

Reid had more time than he perhaps realised to size up his effort but snatched at it, pulling wide of the target.

Danny Ventre also fired narrowly wide with a thumping free-kick effort from all of 30 yards out which had Hammann scrambling to his far post.

Marks went as close as anybody to a first half opener when he rattled a powerful drive wide of the far post seven minutes before the break.

The Iron forward was quick to pounce on an error by Ian Sharps on the edge of the box but could not find the accuracy to match the power of his effort.

Telford broke quickly though and Reid draw a strong save from Hammann with a fierce 20 yard strike less than a minute later.

Montgomery did well to prevent Marks sliding home the opener for the home side early into the second half.

The striker was first to a searching ball into the area but the goalkeeper got down quickly to deny a close range 50th minute strike.

But Telford went ahead eight minutes later with an ice cool Tony Gray penalty, after Reid had been hacked down in the area by Remy Clerima.

Reid had been first onto a ball over the top, drawing a fine save with a fierce strike inside the area and was then tripped up attempting to gather the rebound.

Things got even better for the Bucks five minutes later when Danny Ventre found the bottom corner to double their lead following a determined run to the edge of the box.

Braintree substitute Jordan Cox should have halved the deficit with 15 minutes to go but could only stab Chez Isaac's far post free-kick wide from very close range.

Kenny Davis then missed the target with a fizzing 20-yard strike but Reid could have made it 3-0 to Telford inside the last 10 minutes, Hammann denying him with a good save.

Despite their heroics, Telford could still be relegated on Saturday if they lose at Dover and other results go against them.