Braintree deservedly returned from Dover Athletic on Tuesday evening with a hard-earned point against a physically stronger home side in a 0-0 draw.

They had three or four decent scoring opportunities in a first half in which they were the dominant side and again early in the second period good attacking, passing moves opened up the home defence but three successive chances went begging.

While admitting that scoring goals remains his one major problem manager Dan Cowley was full of praise for every player adding: “They were excellent with their effort, endeavour and commitment and we deserved to have won the game because we were the better side.

“We knew that Dover would be physically stronger than us as they are a big side and they would play direct football.

“We were still going for that crucial goal and win right up to the final whistle but although disappointed not to have taken all three, a point in the circumstances was good.”