Garry Haylock will be looking for his side to maintain top spot in the Blue Square Conference South when they take on Braintree Town at Church Road on Saturday.

Eight successive league wins, the last over AFC Wimbledon to take Hayes and Yeading United top, have made United to side to beat at the moment and Braintree will provide testing opposition.

The Essex side have made a disappointing start to the new campaign having previously reached the play-offs in the last two seasons.

They currently sit in 16th spot with just eight points from 10 league matches, although in their last two they have beaten Bromley and drawn with Worcester City.

However, on Saturday they crashed out of the FA Cup with a shock 4-0 defeat at Kingstonian.

Hayes and Yeading were in FA Cup action last night (Tuesday) as they replayed their second qualifying round clash with Staines Town at Church Road. The winners will be away to Kingstonian in the next round on October 11.

The main threat to United on Saturday is likely to come from the Braintree strike force of Danny Hockton and Gareth Williams.

Hockton was recently signed by the Iron from Blue Square South rivals Bromley for a reported four figure fee.The 28-year-old has played for a number of clubs, including Mill-wall and Stevenage Borough.

He has linked up again with Williams, who signed from Bromley in the summer,and last season they formed a 40-plus goal strike partnership with their former club.

Haylock will be hoping that no injuries were picked up in last night's cup replay, but he does have the benefit this season of a strong squad and competition for places throughout the team.

On Tuesday night, in the second round of the Setanta Shield, United travel to face Blue Square South rivals Thurrock, who currently sit in the bottom reaches of the table.