LITTLE Oakley boss Sean Tynan hailed "clubman and ambassador" Lewis Wood for his two-goal heroics against Braintree Town Reserves.

The defender brought up his century of goals as the Acorns maintained their unbeaten start to the Thurlow Nunn League division one south campaign with a 2-1 victory at the Memorial Ground.

Centre-half Wood had headed narrowly wide and then against the bar before breaking the deadlock with an effort from the left that flashed inside the far post.

Goal number 101 then followed soon after as he netted with a near-post header from Ben Gallifant's cross.

“Lewis is a true Oakley boy," said delighted Tynan.

“His goals are so important for us and he’s such a threat from set-pieces.

“To reach that milestone is brilliant and I’m so chuffed for him.

“When I played here he was a young lad coming through and we had one season together.

“For him to have stayed all those years, and now have an opportunity to play at this level, is fantastic.

“He’s grabbing it with both hands and he’s been immense for us this season. He’s started on fire.

"Lewis is a fantastic clubman and ambassador for the club.

“He’s had loads of offers to leave, down the years.

“Lots of people have come in for him but he enjoys it here, playing football with his mates at the highest level he can.

“His family come along and watch and unless someone offers him big money, why would he want to move on?

“It’s more important to enjoy your football so that when you look back, you can say you had a great time.”

Luke Mayhew nearly made the points safe with a low effort that was turned round the near post by keeper Mohammed Ahmed.

But Braintree spun the match on its head by halving the deficit through Prince Kitoko, who capitalised after a mix-up in the Acorns' defence.

The visitors' Columbus Iyayi saw red for a second booking and after Jamie Dobkin made a brilliant goal-line clearance to keep Oakley ahead, the hosts nearly added a third when substitute Frank Selwyn saw his powerful, rising effort turned behind by Ahmed.

Oakley are yet to lose in the league and they climbed to third after this result, ahead of Saturday's tricky trip to leaders White Ensign.

“In the first half we played some fantastic football and moved the ball around so well. I was excited by it," added Tynan.

“We pressed them high up the pitch, got two goals and looked pretty comfortable at half-time.

“But as a manager, you always know that the next goal is important and they gave themselves a lifeline.

“We let ourselves down a bit after that but dug in and managed to see the game out – something we wouldn’t have done last season.

“We would have lost a game like this in the past but now we’re physically and mentally stronger and cope and adapt with different situations.

“A win’s a win and it was always going to be difficult to keep up that level of performance for 90 minutes."

Tynan was without Ash Wood, Stephen Polley and Matt Williams on Tuesday and will have no Mark Palmer, Harry Mann or Frankie Selwyn at Ensign.

“Every week I’m having to make three or four changes so the continuity isn’t quite there," he said.

“But I’ve got to be happy.

"We’re unbeaten in the league and up to third, but we’re keeping our feet firmly on the ground."