Braintree must keep 'raising the bar' - Moseley

Braintree beat Worthing in last season's National League South promotion final

Braintree Town interim boss Justin Moseley has urged the team to keep "raising the bar" following a 2-2 draw with Gateshead in their first game since the sacking of Angelo Harrop.

Goalkeeper coach Moseley, who joined the Iron in the summer of 2022, saw his team lead twice but then have to settle for a point following the sending-off of Chay Cooper.

Harrop led Braintree to promotion last season but they managed only five wins in 20 National League games prior to his dismissal last week.

"These boys owed it to the club and the old management team and they've gone and done it," Moseley told BBC Essex Sport.

"That's the frustrating bit, why didn't they do it two or three weeks ago?

"Every time while I'm in temporary charge, they have to raise the bar."

A change of formation paid off for Braintree and Moseley afterwards dedicated the result to Harrop and other former staff members who left the club with him.

"I'm just trying to find my feet, do what's best for the club and I'll do that until I'm told otherwise," Moseley added.

"I'm just doing what I was told to do. I'm emotionally drained, physically drained.

"I decided to go 4-2-3-1 and when we're not in possession go nice and narrow and compact, then when we are in possession get the two wide boys high up (the pitch).

"I just said 'go and express yourselves, play with a bit of freedom and play with a smile on your faces'."

Braintree next face a National League Cup game against West Bromwich Albion Under-21s on Tuesday evening, prior to a home FA Trophy tie against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.