Another defeat signals the end of Quinton’s reign as Braintree boss

New signing Jake Cass in action during Braintree Town's 2-1 home defeat to Eastleigh on Saturday. Picture: JON WEAVER (Image: Archant)

Braintree Town manager, Brad Quinton, parted company with the struggling Essex club after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Eastleigh.

Quinton guided The Iron back into the National League at the end of last season, via the play-offs, in his first season at Cressing Road, but just one win in 15 matches has seen them prop up the non-league’s top tier after the first two months of this term.

Saturday’s defeat was The Iron’s 11th league loss, prompting Quinton’s exit on Saturday night.

Chairman Lee Harding said: “It’s a sad day for the Club, but we felt it was time for a change.

Joe Ellul, left, keeps focused during Braintree Town's defeat to Eastleigh. The Iron went down 2-1 and manager Brad Quinton quit after the match. Picture: JON WEAVER (Image: Archant)

“Brad has done well for us as both a player and manager – being involved in three promotions in 11 years – and we thank him for his contribution. He knows he will always be welcome at Cressing Road.

“We feel we backed Brad as best we could, even allowing him to bring in another new player on Friday (striker Jake Cass).

“The Board has never interfered in the manager’s selection of players, but we must operate within our means. Even as late as the last 20 minutes on Saturday, I was hoping that we would be able to turn our season around and give ourselves a chance.

“Yes, the Club could have continued down the path we have for the first 15 matches, but we were not confident that we would turn our season around. Time will tell if a change brings an improvement in our fortunes, but we felt we at least have to try.”

Jon Muleba on the ball for Braintree Town against Eastleigh on Saturday. The Iron are now managerless and bottom of the National League. Picture: JON WEAVER (Image: Archant)

The Club will appoint a caretaker-manager over the next few days, and will stage a pre-match meeting with the staff and players before tomorrow night’s Essex Senior Cup tie at Canvey Island.

Harding added: “What the Board are looking for is someone to work with us as we strive to consolidate at this level once again, and be part of our ambitious plans for the future.”

The Iron actually delivered an improved display against Eastleigh, although the outcome was the same.

Goals from Paul McCallum (15mins) and Chris Zebroski (37) put Eastleigh 2-0 up, before Mo Bettamer pulled a goal back on 72 minutes.

After the match, and before the decision was made on his future, Quinton had said: “I’m really disappointed because I felt we were the better side for most of the game.”

BRAINTREE: Killip, Muleba, Ellul, Lyons-Foster, Gabriel, Sogaf, Allen, James (sub Grant, 84), Bettamer, Thompson (sub Della-Verde, 52), Cass. Unused subs: Webber, Pattison, Frimpong.

Attendance 418.