Scott Doe and Luke Howell were both on target as Boreham Wood won 2-0 at Braintree Town on Tuesday evening in the National League

The win continues a run of just one defeat in seven matches and means frugal Wood have conceded four times in their last nine National League outings.

Luke Garrard showed faith in the starting XI which won a hard earned point at Grimsby Town three days earlier, yet found the going tough in the opening half.

Manager Garrard said afterwards: “We set up to play against a 4-3-3 but Danny Cowley shuffled his pack and his formation and we struggled until I got the boys back in at half time.

“Their response was immense after the interval after we discussed how we were going to go back out and win this game of football. They implemented the plan superbly.”

He added: “We showed in the second half what we are capable of. We wiped out the counter attack threat and scored twice, from there we never looked in danger.

“I am hugely proud of the players tonight and we owe it to those fantastic supporters to give them something more to celebrate.”

Ex-Wood PASE player Simeon Akinola hit a speculative effort just over the bar for the home side in the opening minute and after 13 minutes as the Iron made a bright start. Michael Cheek then wasted a fine opportunity to steer the Iron towards an early lead.

Sam Habergham's long ball up field was perfect for the run of Cheek who beat the offside trap. With one touch he bought the ball under control but could only fire over with just James Russell to beat.

Wood were struggling with their shape with Jamie Lucas isolated and alone up front, leaving the majority of the shooting practice to Anthony Jeffrey.

He fired over from a high cross from the right from Ricky Shake before Akinola again threatened at the other end.

Taylor Miles played a ball across goal which was dummied by Cheek. Akinola span to shoot wide with Cheek's momentum almost allowing him to divert the ball home.

Cheek went close again, forcing Russell to tip over after Habergham's floated ball forward was flicked on by Mark Philips.

Wood responded with a fine counter attack which resulted in Lucas setting up Jeffrey who again fired wide of the target. Kenny Davis responded for the Iron heading just wide from a corner ball delivery.

Town keeper Michael Crowe was tipped into action in the 37th minute when Jeffrey almost forced the ball over the line from a tight angle, set up by a Scott Doe cross from the right.

Both Cheek and Matt Paine were thwarted by a double save from Russell as the first half ended in stalemate.

Paine handled just inside his own half at the start of the second half and although the free-kick was awarded in an innocuous position, it was to prove crucial.

Conor Clifford sent the ball towards the far post and, with the whole defence missing the chance to clear and Crowe opting to stay on his line, Doe popped up at the far post to head home.

Doe’s goal was the first the Iron had conceded at Cressing Road in 11-and-a-half hours of league football.

The goal instantly lifted Wood, however, they were given a massive scare when, from the restart, Akinola poked a low shot through a sea of players and Sam Cox heroically cleared off the line from a corner.

From there Wood upped the tempo, their passing was slicker and within six minutes they had doubled their lead in some style.

Clifford and Luke Howell exchanged passes with Cox feeding Doe whose ball into danger was cleared to Howell. The midfielder unleashed a superb curling volley from the edge of the area that left Crowe with no chance.

Cowley responded to bring on a third striker in the shape of Anthony Edgar, before introducing Chez Isaac as he opted for a 3-4-3 formation to try and claw a way back into the game.

However, Wood showed exactly why they have the fifth meanest defence in the National League this season and resisted everything the Essex outfit threw at them.

Lucas found himself through on goal only for Jeffrey to nick the ball back off him before seeing his shot saved. The on-loan Bristol Rovers striker was then robbed by Matt Fry, his clearing challenge running just past a post.

Edgar forced a save from Russell after the keeper let the ball slip from his hands from a corner.

The outstanding Jeffrey then raced clear through the middle only to be tripped by Paine with three minutes remaining. The defender earned a booking for his troubles.

Three minutes later it was red for Paine with Jeffrey drawing, albeit minimal, contact from the Iron defender.

Wood host Torquay United at Meadow Park on Saturday.

Boreham Wood: Russell; Devera, Doe, Cox, Woodards; Shakes, C.Clifford, Cox, Howell, Jeffrey; Lucas (Sam-Yorke 86).

Subs: White (GK), Nunn, B Clifford, Kamdjo.