GOALKEEPER Nathan McDonald believes manager Brad Quinton is getting Braintree Town on track to challenge in the Vanarama National League this season.

Quinton has admitted that building a squad ready to be a force in the top tier of non-league football has not been straightforward this summer.

They head to AFC Sudbury for their latest pre-season fixture tonight on the back of an impressive 2-0 win against Ipswich Town last weekend and McDonald felt that performance showed that things were coming together.

“It was a better performance against Ipswich than the one against Colchester in the previous game," said the Iron keeper.

“It’s basically a new team that Brad has got together and it will take a little while for things to really come together – like last season.

“But we have to trust in Brad.

“I was with him at Enfield and we have only gone up under him as manager so I’ve got trust in him and the players that he brings in.

“It’s hard for him (with building this summer) as you have full-time teams in the Conference now and clubs who have been relegated from League Two and we’re having to work hard to match those guys.

“Training has been hard, which is good, and I think he’s doing the right things.

“The Ipswich game just showed that things are working and people are listening.

“That’s all we can do – work hard and listen – and we should go a long way.

“I’m happy where I am at the moment.

“It’s good getting minutes against Colchester and Ipswich and I feel sharp."