HOLLAND FC boss Rob Batten admitted it was a case of “the good, the bad and the ugly” in his side’s eventful draw at Braintree Town Reserves.

The coastal side staged a dramatic fightback to come from two-down and rescue a point in Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League fixture.

The Iron quickly opened a two-goal lead in the division one south contest.

However, they saw their advantage go up in smoke after the break, following quickfire goals from Steve Eaton and Markel Greenidge.

“I had mixed emotions afterwards,” said Batten.

“We started brightly before quickly finding ourselves behind.

“Then we lost possession and suddenly found ourselves 2-0 down.

“We were only about ten minutes into the game so everyone was shell-shocked.

“We pretty much dominated the rest of the half without taking our opportunities.

“But we changed our shape at the break and did to them what they’d done to us, by scoring two quick goals.

“It’s a strange one as I didn’t really know how to feel afterwards.

“There was a bit of everything in the game - the good, the bad and the ugly.

“Having been two-down, I guess I should have been happy with a point.

“But having gone so close to grabbing a winner - we hit the bar and had one cleared off the line - it was disappointing not to get all three.

“We could and should have won, had we shown a bit more composure in front of goal.”

Holland, who are sixth in the table, have a home date with Wormley Rovers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Batten believes his side are capable of more success but hopes they tighten up at the back.

“We’re such an open side and play some lovely football,” he said.

“From a neutral perspective, we must be a joy to watch but for me, as manager, the boys are giving me grey hairs!

“Playing the way we do leaves us a bit susceptible at the back but if we can tighten up we’ll win a lot of games, because we’ll always create and score goals.”

Batten is boosted by the return of four key players for Saturday’s date at the W&S Scaffolding Community Stadium.

Skipper Joe Martin and Reece Keating were both unavailable last week, while Terry Rymer and Jimmy Webb have now served suspensions and return to the squad to face Wormley.

Holland’s final game before Christmas is a trip to Benfleet on December 22.

They then host Tendring neighbours Little Oakley on December 29.