Inih Effiong earns Braintree a hard-fought victory

Inih Effiong’s strike was the difference as Braintree beat 10-man Fylde 1-0.

Corey Whelan had an early chance for Fylde when his header flew over the bar, but Braintree had some good opportunities to take the lead when Chay Cooper’s effort was saved and Effiong went close twice.

Kyrell Lisbie sliced a shot wide for Braintree early in the second half and they eventually took the lead in the 58th minute when Cooper found Effiong, who smashed a first-time strike into the roof of the net.

Fylde were then reduced to 10 in the 61st minute when Tyler Roberts was shown his second booking in the space of four minutes and Braintree pushed to extend their lead when Cooper had a shot cleared.

The visitors came close in the final stages when Lucas Covolan made a great save to push Jon Ustabasi’s header away and the midfielder came close again when a dangerous strike flashed over the bar in stoppage-time.