Braintree Town go into their two Easter weekend games full of renewed confidence after an away draw and win but they will face promotion rivals St Albans City on Easter Monday without two key midfielder players because of suspension.

Skipper Billy Crook, sent off in their draw at Hampton & Richmond last Saturday, will also miss the two following games while Luke Allen, dismissed for two yellow cards in the same game, will also be a non-starter at Clarence Park.

Manager Brad Quinton admits both players will be missed but is confident other players will step up to the job as the team as seen already this season adding: “Naturally they are important players but we missed them earlier on when they were both injured.

“We perhaps don’t have the size of squad other clubs have in this league but I know the players we do have are quite capable of filling their shoes.

“There’s now a great team spirit in the dressing and I know we have players who can play in different positions and will not let us down. Every one of them is fighting for a shirt and when they get it they are determined to keep it.”

Both Crook and Allen will be available for tomorrow’s home league game against Oxford City (kick off 3pm) as their suspensions come into effect on Saturday.

Now into the final run in for the season Quinton is still confident his side will make the play-offs adding: “We have everything to play for and there’s no real pressure on.

“I have every confidence we can make the play-offs particularly after our two latest excellent team performances,” he said.

“I felt we should and deserved to win at Hampton despite playing with only 10 men for such a long period and then to come away and beat Weston Super Mare on their own patch in midweek was tremendous.

“I am really pleased with the players because we defended well in both games and showed we are a real threat to any side when we attack positively. Making the play-offs is still our realistic aim and it would cap a fine first season for me back at the club which I always have a special relationship.”