A half-time dressing down from manager Steve Burr was the impetus for the Blues comeback 3-1 win at Braintree Town.

Subdued and off the pace in the first period, Chester were lucky to go in a goal down after the home side spurned some fine chances to add to captain Kenny Davis' spot kick.

Burr conceded his team talk wasn't fit for print, but the impact was instant and considerable.

Within 19 minutes of the restart, the excellent Sean McConville had scored twice and Chris Iwelumo added another to turn the game on its head.

Chester never looked like surrendering their grip on the game and won for the first time this season to the delight of the manager.

Burr said: “I thought Braintree shaded the first half but second half we came out a lot quicker, a lot brighter and we scored some really good quality goals so I was very pleased to get up and running.

“I wasn’t too happy in just the way we started. I thought we were a bit sloppy and a bit slow to react to things so one or two things were said at half-time.

“But I said to them afterwards that it’s not my reaction at half-time, it’s them as players when they go over the line and they put in a really good performance in the second half.

"This is a difficult place to come and win but the pleasing thing is that we're up and running now. We had a difficult game in the week obviously at Forest Green but I just thought in the second half we showed some more signs that we'll be okay this season."

Braintree could have taken the lead inside the opening minute but Freddy Hall denied Chez Issac and Sean Marks hit the bar from close range.

Chester tried to get into the game but something was missing and the Iron were handed the opening goal on 23 minutes when John Disney inexplicably handled a free kick inside the area and Davis dispatched the penalty.

Burr was unhappy with the flat first half performance but elated with a response that suggests the Blues can make a real improvement on last season.

“We have to be at full tilt all the time and we can’t carry anybody,” said Burr.

“It was a disappointing goal that we conceded and I don’t know what was going through John’s head but it’s one of those things that can happen.

“But we showed the character to come back in the second half and get the win that I felt we deserved.”

McConville, who followed up a good display in the 2-1 loss at Forest Green Rovers, revelled in a free role behind Iwelumo, who gave the Iron centre halves a torrid time.

New signing Ben Heneghan looked assured after replacing Disney and captain Matty Brown and Kieran Charnock stood tall when Braintree threw bodies forward late on.

Burr said: "I think at 3-1 up after the sort of week we've had a little bit of anxiety set in and I know that it will come with confidence that we'll pass the ball better

"I didn't think we had our backs to the wall by any means in the second half. We dealt with most things but I just wanted us to keep the ball a bit better.

"It was pleasing that the passing that we created for the first, the second and the third goal was very good and the movement was there.

"We played well in the second half and took our chances. There was little phases in the first half that was okay but give Braintree credit they came out of the traps really quickly and it's a difficult place to come.

"Alan Devonshire has done a fantastic job over the years with the squad he's got and they get better each year."

Burr again reserved praise for the travelling supporters with about 175 fans backing the Blues at Cressing Road.

"It's a long, long way to come and they were brilliant as they were at Forest Green and a big, big thanks to them for getting behind the lads and helping us through this game," said the manager.