BRAINTREE Town assistant manager Keith Rowland has warned his players not to get cocky when they face Hereford United today after their superb midweek victory over Luton Town.

Matt Paine’s header ended an eight-game winless streak on Tuesday as Braintree recorded arguably one of the club’s best-ever wins with a 3-2 triumph over 10-man Luton at Kenilworth Road.

It lifted them to 16th in the Blue Squre Bet Premier, but with Hereford four places above and seeking an immediate return to League Two, Rowland has urged his side not to become arrogant.

“It was a great result for the fans, club and town but we don’t want the players to become cocky and get carried away,” he said.

“You don’t prove yourself with just one result. You can get a bit of a tonking if you are not on the ball and we will have to fight to get anything against Hereford.

“I don’t think they’ll be more wary of us now. In this league you can’t take anyone for granted.

“Maybe Luton took us for granted and you can’t blame them for thinking that, but that just goes to show you how this league works.

“If you don’t give respect you can become unstuck.

“So for us the win against Luton was just another game and we will draw a line under it and move on.

“But we want to keep that momentum going and I hope it will instil some confidence.”

Meanwhile, Rowland insists new recruit Alan Massey, 23, who joined from Ryman Premier Division club Wealdstone this week after defender former Staines Town defender Dean Wells dislocated his shoulder last Saturday, is a risk worth taking.

“Sometimes in football you have to take risks but I don’t think this is a gamble,” added Rowland, who expects Massey to be in today’s squad.

“He is an aggressive, strong boy with a good left foot and we think he is good enough to make the grade.

“It will come down to how quickly he can adapt but we have a good record of bringing in players from the lower leagues.

“Dean has been one of our best players this season and he took a few weeks to adapt from a lower league.

“But hopefully he will hit the ground running and will offer long-term competition.”