The pivotal moment came 30 minutes into the game as a mix up between defender Alfie Young and goalkeeper Oliver Wright was ruthlessly pounced on by forward Aaron Blair, leaving the home side with an uphill battle against the league’s second-best defence.

Coming into the game Braintree were on a run of four straight clean sheets and having conceded only 33 goals so far meant that the first goal was always going to be crucial. After scoring the visitors were able to slow the game right down and rely on their formidable defence to frustrate the league’s top scorers.

Throughout the game Worthing had plenty of the ball but were constantly pressed into going all the way back to keeper Wright who would immediately boot it long, playing into the Iron’s hands whose win completed the league double against their opponents. This victory their eight in the 15 meetings between the two.

The Mackerel’s best chance came five minutes into the game when the quiet Dylan Fage played it into the largely isolated figure of Ollie Pearce who sold a clever dummy into Danny Cashman, but his shot was fired straight at the untroubled Jack Sims.

Most of the game’s best chances were spurned by the away side as they forced Southampton’s loanee Wright into a few good saves. The best of which happened 15 minutes into the second half when Reggie lamb seemingly had a tap in from a few yards out only to be denied by the outstretched arm of the 6”5 Wright.

Talisman Pearce was in hot form before the match having registered 18 goals in his last 10 appearances but was left visibly annoyed at the slowness of his team play who may been taking manager Adam Hinshelwood’s calls for patience a bit too literary.

Worthing players were repeatably guilty of holding onto the ball too long when there was a dangerous run on resulting in very few good quality chances. This means it’s now the first time in 11 games the Rebels have drawn a blank.

Plenty of the 1341 in attendance were constantly voicing their opinions about referee Eugene Robinson’s performance, who they felt was slowing the game down too much and not adding the time on at the end. However, praise also needs to be given to the away team as their discipline in keeping in their shape was a key factor in making this a slow and uneventful affair.

Worthing will be looking to bounce back in as they visit Dartford next Saturday. Braintree will look to continue their unbeaten run away at bath on Tuesday.