BRANTHAM Athletic joint-manager Michael Brothers says his side’s great togetherness and team spirit is reaping rich rewards this season.

The Imps held runaway Thurlow Nunn League leaders Felixstowe and Walton to a 1-1 draw on Saturday before edging a 1-0 victory at FC Clacton on Tuesday.

The games and performances showed different strings to the Imps’ bow.

And Brothers was delighted to glean four points from a possible six from two tricky opponents.

“This time last year we probably would have lost a game like the one on Tuesday,” he told the Standard.

“But there’s such a togetherness here this season and it’s helping us get results.

“There’s a buzz about the club and within the group of players.

“We stick up for each other and spirit like that is important at any level of football, but especially in this league.

“There’s not always a great deal between sides so you have to match your opponent in terms of heart and endeavour and then come up with moments of quality, as we did on Tuesday.”

Brantham slowed the Felixstowe juggernaut by coming from behind and securing a hard-earned point against Felixstowe.

The Imps, who remain fourth in the table, salvaged a share of the spoils through Ed Nobbs.

After his initial shot was saved, the ball ricocheted back off the full-back into the net.

Felixstowe nearly pinched a winner in the latter stages but saw a dipping long-range effort tipped over by keeper Callum Robinson.

Brothers then went agonisingly close to sealing a home victory – only to be denied by the bar.

Sean Bartlett bagged the only goal as Brantham emerged 1-0 winners at Clacton.

His winner came five minutes before the break, drilling home after Jack Sibbons’ angled effort hit the right-hand post.

Just before, Kyle Ferguson had connected with Jack Smith’s through ball before being denied by keeper Luke Avenell.

Nobbs inadvertently headed against his own bar as the hosts nearly grabbed an equaliser in the second half.

“We huffed and puffed and put in another shift, just as we did on Saturday,” added Brothers.

“It was a completely different game to the Felixstowe one.

“It was scrappier but we still managed to defend well, nick a goal and keep another clean sheet.

“The prize is still the same when you win - three points – and we were more than happy to get another win.

“There wasn’t a great deal of quality in the game but we produced a bit of it with the goal. We had enough half-chances and at the end of the day, it’s four points from two tough games.

“We had five or six players out and it’s the sign of a good side when you can take three points when not at your best.”

Brantham will be without both Brothers and Smith for tomorrow’s match at Haverhill Borough. Both are suspended.

Craig Hughes and Sam Newson are injury doubts while Adam Bloss and Terry Rymer are both sidelined. Craig Hughes is doubtful with a foot problem.

Ben Newson returns to the squad after serving a suspension.

Brantham host Wivenhoe Town in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Kick-off at the Leisure Centre is at 7.45pm.