BRAINTREE TN 1, ALDERSHOT TN 2

A DIFFICULT August ended on a high for Aldershot in Essex on Monday as a rousing second-half resurgence earned a victory which felt more important than merely another three points.

The spirit, resolve and ingenuity shown by the Shots in coming from behind to snatch an 86th-minute winner – gained despite the absence of five key players through injury – suggested that Barry Smith’s new squad are starting to find their feet.

It was not, though, a faultless performance, and Smith declared himself “very disappointed” with the first half. “I let the players know at half-time how disappointed I was,” he said, “but the good thing for me is their reaction in the second half and their mentality to take that criticism and respond to it. They responded in the perfect manner by scoring two goals.

“We thought we needed to change the system a little bit to get more joy,” he explained of the switch to a 4-3-3 formation which galvanised the team in the final 30 minutes. “We have got a very small squad, but we just keep going and the credit for that must go to my players.”

Aldershot had started in promising if uninspiring style and after missing two fine chances, lost their way as the half progressed and conceded a soft goal just before the break.

With space and the opportunity to be creative at a premium, openings were scarce. Yet, when Dan Walker’s corner created a scramble inside the six-yard box, during which Luke Oliver’s header and Jim Stevenson’s follow-up both narrowly missed squeezing in at the far post, the visitors had cautious optimism.

Braintree’s own shooting lacked accuracy and Aldershot again threatened when Stevenson brought a strong save from Will Norris.

But on 42 minutes, a defensive lapse gave The Iron the lead. Dan Sparkes whipped in a left-wing cross on the run and the lively Jordan Chiedozie stole between Oliver and Omar Beckles to glance a header past Phil Smith.

Richard Brodie, back from injury, headed against the bar seconds before the break, but it was only with the arrival of Charlie Harris – making his senior debut after joining on loan from Brighton less than 24 hours previously – that Aldershot looked capable of wresting control of the game.

They immediately discovered renewed pace and purpose and drew level on 70 minutes. Brodie rose to meet a high cross from the left and nodded the ball down into the path of Harris, who swung and missed his initial volley, but had the composure to drill the second effort into the net.

Momentum was with the Shots, and when, on 86 minutes, Cheye Alexander took a quick throw-in on the right, Harris returned the favour with an assist for Brodie. His measured cross allowed the striker to drift behind his marker and place a header in off the post.

It was just reward for the ambition and character of the visitors and the reactions at the final whistle, both on the pitch and in the stands, suggested that everybody recognised the potential borne in this result.

Braintree: Norris; Brundle, Phillips, Dallison, Habergham; Paine, Woodyard; Akinola (Edgar 77), Isaac (Davis 72), Sparkes; Chiedozie (Cheek 75). Subs (not used): Clerima, Marks. Booked: Paine.

Aldershot: Smith; Alexander, Oliver, Beckles, Anderton; Browne (Harris 58), Gallagher, Stevenson (Barnes-Homer 65), D Walker; C Walker, Brodie. Subs (not used): Richards, Thomas, Barker. Booked: Brodie.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 707.

l Brighton midfielder Charlie Harris has joined Aldershot on a 28-day youth loan. He is a graduate of the Seagulls’ Academy and is a regular in the Albion U21 side.