Buoyant Brantham boss Pip Boyland could not disguise his joy as the Blue Imps came from behind to win 2-1 in a crucial relegation thriller at Hadleigh.

James Lee banged in his second goal in three games for Brantham since returning back to the club from a short spell at Hadleigh to equalise before Boyland's battlers found a late winner through the highly impressive Jose Santa De La Paz.

Boyland was delighted with his side that staunchly survived a first half onslaught, took advantage of a 10-minute sin bin, and a late hand ball decision, which went their way, with loanee De La Paz finishing superbly.

"It was a deserved win," said Boyland who took over as Brantham manager from Michael Brothers in January. "We had a shaky start which was down to nerves, but I have massive believe in these boys

"The reason I took the job was because I knew they had something about them and just needed to come together. Now all the need to do is keep believing and keep focused on what we are trying to achieve and tonight they showed that."

Brantham put bodies on the line to bravely defend as Hadleigh piled on the first half pressure and got their breakthrough on the half hour when Joe Yaxley finished off from 10 yards after good work from United debut-maker Isa Galliard.

After surviving a close call from Joel Glover straight after the break, the Blue Imps, who had hit the crossbar and seen a shot cleared off the line, grabbed the equaliser though Lee during the sin bin spell as Hadleigh winger Mason Ransome was given a 10 minute suspension for dissent.

Boyland felt it was just rewards and said: "We defended like demons in the first half, took advantage of the sin bin and scored a good goal at the end.

"I know the game changed when they had a sin bin but we hit the crossbar and and against a strong Hadleigh side we were resilient and we stuck to the task got our reward.

"For a lot of the season it has gone the other way, we have held out and them someone has scored against us and it has been demoralising but tonight our boys showed determination and believe and they deserved that win."

After going in the book for an early robust challenge Lee, who had brief spell at Hadleigh after falling out with former Brantham boss Brothers, has impressed on his return to Brantham.

Brantham took full advantage on the reduced numbers with Lee finishing a good move, instigated by new signing Jamie McGrath from East Bergholt.

"I'm proud of the way James has done after the knocks and set backs he has had this season" said Boyland. "I don't know how he does it, but he turns up in the box ant the ought time, you can't teach that he just does it and is natural goalscorer from midfield."

Hadleigh then got through a second onslaught from the Brettsiders and snatched a controversial late winner when referee Chris Whitley played on from what looked a clear hand ball from a raised Brantham arm.

On loan wide man from Needham Market, De La Paz, once again showed his pace and close control before finishing superbly, much to the delight of the travelling support.

"Jose is a good boy," said a beaming Boyland. "That goal has been coming for him, he has been showing potential every week and I have massive belief in him because he is a massive talent. He has a wonderful attitude, like all the boys here have . No ego, just hard work and we will get or reward."

The win secured a vital three points in Brantham's battle for Premier Division survival and Boyland is confident they can beat the drop.

He said: "In training we keep rehearsing, keep sticking together, keep the philosophy about what we want to do going forward and defensively and we will get the outcome.

"It may not come straight way but if we keep battling and eventually the results will turn and for me tonight that happened."

Frustrated Hadleigh manager Steve Holder was furious at the way his side lost.

"We controlled the game," he said. "Good luck to Brantham but we are frustrated. We were all over them and didn't take or chances.

"I don't know how the referee has missed that hand ball, it was massive call."

The loss was not just down to the ref though as ill discipline, opportunities scorned and a loss of focus cost United.

"Mason has just got back in the side then he does that,: said Holder. "He needs to kepis mouth shut because that has cost us a goal.

"Then the referee has cost us a point or even three, it was a shocking decision in my opinion."

New signing from Whitton United Asa Milliard was one of the bright points for Hadleigh showing off a Rabana pass and linking well with Glover until he ran out of steam

Holder added: "Asa has not played for a while but he has done really well.

Joe Yaxley caused problems throughout, went close from a fine free kick which dissected the Brantham wall, but was well saved by Ryan Bedingfield.

Meanwhile, as competitive as the clash proved, there was a good touch off the pitch with the game being jointly sponsored by long time Brantham supporter Trot Ward, and his son Mark Ward, who is a Hadleigh United stalwart.

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