Braintree boss Hakan Hayrettin was philosophical after his side slipped to a 4-0 defeat to championship-chasing Lincoln City last night.

The damage was done by young Imps striker Lee Angol, making his debut on loan from Peterborough United, who scored two early first half goals on 14 and 22 minutes before going on to complete his hat-trick eight minutes from time from the spot.

Nathan Arnold made it four near the end.

Had the Iron someone of Angol’s calibre in their attack then the result may have been different but his two early strikes left a shell-shocked Iron to try and chase the game from then onwards.

“We put more balls into their box, especially second half than they did to us and again we created the chances but simply failed to take them which is disappointing,” Hayrettin declared.

“We knew it was going to be tough because they are an exceptionally good side, well drilled and well organised and with full-time players who all have quality.”

He went on: “I felt the way we conceded those two early goals were disappointing and our keeper Sam (Beasant) let the ball go through his hands and perhaps could have done better but I’m not blaming him because he’s been outstanding for us since coming into the side.

“But we now have to bounce back straight away after these two successive defeats and with the injured and suspended players coming back that will help,” he explained.

“Everyone knows we don’t have the resources like teams such as Lincoln City but since I came in I believe we are slowly but surely improving and we now need to get a couple of wins from our next two games to renew the confidence in the side.”

This Saturday Iron head to the Midlands to take on Solihull Moors before entertaining current basement club Southport on Saturday week.

“We’ll dust ourselves down, get working in training and be ready for the next game and I will be looking for a win and three points,” Hayrettin added.