Tait, who has been plagued by injury this season, netted a goal in each half to cap a fine performance by Boro against a side who had previously won eight of their last nine games at Cressling Road.

Borough made six changes to the side that lost to the in-form Essex men on Saturday.

Back came Andy Atkin, Matt Crabb, Pat Harding, Paul Armstrong, Darren Baker and Darren Budd.

In atrocious conditions Wilson's men started brightly but it was Braintree who carved out the first opportunity. Tricky wing play from Michael Shinn created a chance for Ryan Moran who fired just wide from close range.

Skipper Paul Armstrong was booked for a foul on the edge of the box as the home side enjoyed a spell of pressure. On 20 minutes Lee Hook's handling on a greasy surface was immaculate as he saved well from Russ Edward's powerful downward header.

As the heavy rain persisted Boro rallied and began to create chances. Matt Crabb's low 25 yard effort picked up pace off the surface and forced giant goalkeeper Nicky Moran to react swiftly.

Tait opened the scoring on 32 minutes with a slightly fortuitous effort. The striker chested down and turned well before unleashing a low deflected effort that skidded off the turf to wrong foot Morgan.

Ben Austin acrobatically cleared Sullivan's deflected cross off the goal-line and Tait should have added a second when he fired straight a Morgan from Crabb's powerful cross-shot.

Boro were rampant in the second half and produced arguably their best 45 minutes of the season.

Austin was at his marauding best down the right. He showed great footwork to wriggle past two defenders and cross but Crabb flicked his near post effort wide.

Another surging run and cross from Austin teed up Atkin who powered a header against the foot of the post and Budd skied the rebound over. Armstrong crashed a 25 yarder against the bar and Tait fizzed one inches over from an acute angle as Wilson's men dominated.

Braintree were reduced to 10 men when Brad Quinton picked up a second yellow and Boro survived a big shout for a penalty when it appeared Crabb handled in the box but a minute later Boro netted a deserved second.

Tait reacted first to Armstrong's through ball and he clipped a delightful finish past the advancing Morgan for what could prove to be the decisive goal.

Hook saved well from Shinn and Atkin scooped a chance over from five yards but Boro supporters left Cressling Road in fine voice and will be confident of finishing the job at Priory Lane on Saturday.

Braintree: Morgan, Burgess (Good), Jones, Cherry, Edwards, Quniton, Hawes, Shinn, Moran (Riddle), Sullivan, Deane (Archer).

BOROUGH: Hook 8, Jenkins 7, Baker 8, Pullan 7, Austin 9 (Lovett), Armstrong 8, Budd 7 (Smart), Crabb 7, Harding 7, Atkin 7, Tait 7 (N Crabb). MoM: Ben Austin - superb defending and attacking. Attt: 1017.