Braintree Town boss Alan Devonshire heaped praise on young striker Jordan Cox after Iron’s fine 3-2 victory at Chester on Sunday.

Cox struck twice as Braintree made it a happy festive period, as they picked up 12 out of a possible 15 points in Vanarama Conference to consolidate their mid-table position.

“I’m pleased for Jordan who has had a frustrating time with injury recently and I have only been able to bring him on as a substitute for short periods as he gets back to fitness,” said Devonshire after the game.

“He is still young and learning the game but he took his two goals well which will give him a lot of confidence.”

In what was a scrappy first half in front of one of the home’s side’s biggest crowds of the season – 1,690 – Iron were unlucky to go a goal behind five minutes before the interval, Sean McConville cutting inside from the left and driving a shot straight at Iron keeper Nick Hamann.

It took a deflection off defender Alan Massey on the way into the net.

But two goals in a minute from Iron – the first a lob from skipper Kenny Davis, the second a header from Cox – stunned the home fans.

The Iron rearguard managed to keep the home forwards at bay until the 76th minute when, from a corner, John Rooney – younger brother of Manchester United’s Wayne – headed the ball on to Chester skipper Matt Brown and he levelled matters. But Cox and Braintree had the last laugh as Dan Sparkes’ fine cross could only be parried away by the home ‘keeper and there was Cox on hand to tap home.

It left a broad smile on manager Alan Devonshire’s face: “I think we deserved the victory and again showed what this small squad of ours is capable of achieving particularly with coping with five games within 15 days.

“I had to change the players around to give some a rest and then we lost Chez (Isaac) early on with an injury before conceding what was an unlucky goal just before the break,” he said.

“But they showed great character and determination in the second half and everyone worked hard to make sure we won and collected the points.”

This Saturday the Iron go to Gosport Borough in the FA Trophy, second round.