Sean Clohessy believes the pressure will be completely off Braintree Town, when they take on Millwall in an eagerly-anticipated FA Cup second round tie at The Den on Sunday.

Ex-Colchester United skipper Clohessy is currently plying his trade at Cressing Road, with the Iron, having left Leyton Orient earlier in the season.

He was all set to make his sixth appearance for the Iron on Tuesday night, at Boreham Wood, but this National League fixture was postponed an hour before kick-off, due to a frozen pitch at Meadow Park.

It was disappointing for Hakan Hayrettin’s men, especially as they had clambered out of the relegation zone last weekend following a dramatic 5-4 win at Southport.

But at least Tuesday night’s postponement has given Clohessy, and his team-mates, extra time to prepare for this weekend’s historic occasion.

“I suppose it’s the biggest game in the club’s history, in that Braintree have never been to this stage of the FA Cup before,” explained Clohessy, following the Boreham Wood postponement.

“So it’s a free game for us, at the end of the day.

“We are not expected to do anything. Millwall are two divisions above where we are at the moment.

“But the pressure is off us, in a way. We can go out and enjoy the game.

“I’ve been at the other end of that, playing against a lower level team when there’s a bit of pressure on.

“It’s a good stadium and a good club to play at, and of course we have a chance.

“There’s always a chance, in any game. If you keep a clean-sheet then you are in the game, and can perhaps then nick a goal or a couple of goals.

“All of a sudden you are in the third round, and then anything can happen,” added Clohessy.

Defender Clohessy, a specialist right-back who can also operate as a left-back or centre-half, played 37 games for Colchester United during the 2014-15 season.

The 29-year-old signed a two-year deal with the U’s, and went on to captain the side on a few occasions, although he eventually fell out with then-manager Tony Humes after refusing to shake his hand after being substituted during a 2-0 defeat at Doncaster on February 28, 2015.

Clohessy never played for the U’s again, having his contract terminated a year early, although he resurfaced at nearby Leyton Orient, until his more recent switch to Braintree.

Clohessy’s Iron debut was a thumping 7-0 win over Eastbourne Borough, in the first round of the FA Cup, which paved the way for this Sunday’s big trip to Millwall.

Iron have only lost once with Clohessy in the team – a 1-0 home defeat to high-flying Tranmere – which is why the Croydon-born defender was looking forward to last night’s match at Boreham Wood.

“It’s a bit of a blow, not playing tonight, having made the effort to come all the way down here, so it’s not the best,” continued Clohessy.

“We did well on Saturday (at Southport), in what was a bit of a mad one. But I suppose it gives us a little more time to rest up for the Millwall game.

“The negative was that we wanted to get another win, to get some points on the board to push us up the table, but the positive is that we can rest up for Sunday’s game.”