Sixteenth-placed Braintree Town can go a long way to hitting manager Alan Devonshire’s 50-point safety target at Cressing Road, today.

Iron host struggling Alfreton Town in the Vanarama Premier, the Derbyshire side in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Braintree could hand a debut to 20-year-old striker Bernard Mensah, who signed on-loan from Championship side Watford until the end of the season this week.

Mensah, who is under contract at Vicarage Road until next summer, scored twice in nine games during a similar spell with the Essex side last season.

Mensah joined Braintree’s Conference rivals Barnet on a two-month loan in November, playing nine times and scoring once.

In Vanarama South, Chelmsford City travel to Maidenhead United, who have signed Braintree striker Charlie Strutton on loan.

The Clarets were losers last time out, going down 2-1 in the derby clash at Concord Rangers on Tuesday night.

City’s Mark Hughes cancelled out Steve King’s opener before Taylor Miles’ long-range strike secured the points for the hosts.

Witham Town, in the Ryman Premier relegation zone, travel to league leaders Maidstone United today, hoping to put a dent in the hosts’ promotion aspirations and give their own survival chances a boost.

Garry Kimble’s men picked up what could prove to be a crucial point in midweek, John Watson scoring in the final minute to rescue a point against Canvey Island and cancel out George Sykes’ opener at Spa Road.

Witham have lost eight of their last dozen league games and are a point outside the relegation zone ahead of today’s game.

In Ryman North, 18th-placed Heybridge Swifts, managed by Cliff Akurang, host Cheshunt in 19th position and are without a win in three.

Elsewhere, Maldon & Tiptree Town, unbeaten in three games, go to Soham Town Rangers.

They held Needham Market, 1-1, at home, a fortnight ago.