Although that first win in 14 games eluded Brantham who were held to a goalless draw by Woodbridge Town, boss Pip Boyland was buoyed by the performance of his much changed squad.

Boyland has been keen to rid the Imps of the complaceny he feels has crept into the team over the course of the season and brought in new players to give more competition within the group.

"It is about performances and shaking off complacency," said Boyland. "We have gone a bit AWOL perviously so we had to make changes.

"This was encouraging, we threaten the goal a lot which is all you can ask.

"We know when you are in this position it is so hard to get out of, as we saw last year.

"Players know they have to look after the ball, take responsibility and over the past couple of weeks I feel we are now doing that.

"We are a new side, with new players and more people getting involved. Players have to turn up and show they are good enough to play in that position."

One noticeable signing was 17-year-old Danny Cullum on loan from Ipswich Town until the end of the season who made his debut after going on at half-time for Matt Walker, who had an unblemished first half.

On loan Ipswich Town keeper Danny Cullum (Pictire: Ian Evans)

Cullum got away with an over enthusiastic charge off his goalie, which led to the Woodpeckers putting the ball in the net from close range, but was controversially ruled out for offside.

The player-manager showed courage in making large scales substitutions, including replacing skipper Jimmy Lee, who led he line superbly until burning out, and the changes gave Brantham fresh impetus.

Boyland said: "One of things I'm working on is having that depth in the squad. We can't just have 11 or 12 we need competition and we saw players working their socks off

"It was an opportunity to give the young keeper a go but it also shows all the players that it is not enough just to turn up thinking they are automatically going to play. So now they know they have to turn up and be as professional as they can be, knowing changes can be made.

"All the boys that came off today came off for the right reasons, they had all given everything."

Harrison Bacon back at Brantham (Picture: Ian Bacon)

Another recent signing was Harrison Bacon who won promotion with Gorleston to Isthmian Premier North last season but a change of circumstances meant he has not played since the summer.

He now lives and works in London, so the proximity of Manningtree station, his knowledge of the club after being on loan there previously, and his parents living in Shotley, are all factors in his signing and fulfil the desire to be playing, rather than just watching.

Bacon showed his quality, kept possession and played the ball around cleverly, his return to full fitness with be to Brantham's benefit and getting 90 minutes under his belt will have helped.

His link play, especially with Jordan Elongo, almost paid dividends more than once.

Only a series of good saves from former Brantham keeper Gate Ruth-Pateman denied, Elongo in the first and second halves, Bacon from a well struck free kick, Tom Lawson, and substitute Charlie Iglesias.

Jordan Elongo went close (Picture: Ian Evans)

It was tough on the Imps in front of their main backers on Sponsors Day, and for Bacon whose mother Tracey Bacon whose company was the match day sponsor.

"Jordan had a couple of good opportunities but the keeper made good saves," said Boyland.. "On another day they would probably go in, for the teams at the top, they go in, but when you near the bottom they don't but that is where we are at.

"Their keeper was probably their man of the match."

Another recent signing Aiden Phair started, while attacking midfielder Mikey Faulkner, who along with Elongo, signed on a dual registration with Heybridge Swifts came on a s a second half substitute and played his part in peppering the Woodpeckers goal in a high tempo finale. 

Despite not winning in their past 14 games, Brantham's board, led by chairman Peter Crowhurst and chef exec Darren Smith have shown commendable patience and Boyland believes their support and confidcen is well founded as he continues to build.

Pip Boyland in the thick of it (Pictre: Ian Evans)

He said: "They have been good, we have had few seasons when it has not been great but we are building again and if players are not showing the commitment that we need, then they will be replaced and we will continue to grow.

"We are still in a position where players want to come here, but they have to have the right reasons. We are not in a position to pay the top money nor would we want to as that is not the right thing for the club in the long term.

"We have let some go and we have brought some in. All we need to a goal and I'm sure that will come."

Brantham face two challenging trip to Fakenham and Ely City before taking on Kirkley and Pakefield at the Leisure centre on January 28.

Woodbridge had goal disallowed for offside (Picture: Ian Evans)