A welcome first league win in five games and the first three points on the board for the new management team were the reward for the hardy souls who made the long trip down to Tiverton.
However, as has been the case throughout the season, Brakes made it difficult for themselves.
Marcus Jackson, Michael Tuohy and Adam Cooper all returned from suspension to take their places in the starting XI alongside new signing Peter Faulds, w
hose move from Blue Square North side Solihull Moors was completed on the morning of the game.
Brakes started brightly and Jackson curled in a shot from the edge of the area which Tiverton keeper Steve Book claimed at the second attempt.
Richard Batchelor shot well over after seeing his neat back-header blocked before both he and Mark Bellingham miscued shots when well placed.
The home side then came to life, sending a shot wide and forcing Tony Breeden to be at his best to claim a threatening driven cross.
Breeden again had to be alert to push Joe Bushin's dangerous downward header behind from a corner. And, from the dead ball, Tiverton opened the scoring, Josh Ford heading home.
Brakes looked to hit back immediately and Batchelor set up a chance for Jackson, who blasted his shot into the travelling Brakes support.
Guy Sanders cracked in a spectacular volley which looked to be heading goalwards until a defender sent it looping into the air and back into the grateful hands of Book.
Bushin had the chance to double the home side's lead only to screw his shot wide when one-on-one with Breeden.
Brakes were struggling to find the killer pass and Tuohy was booked for a late challenge as Brakes' frustrations started to build.
However, with the half-time whistle looming, Brakes got themselves back on level terms.
Batchelor won possession in the Tiverton half with a full-blooded challenge and the ball was played over the head of the last defender to the feet of Luke Corbett, who steadied himself before lashing the ball into the roof of the net.
The team reappeared for the second half with Paul Holleran's team talk ringing in their ears, and it showed, as they put in a much-improved performance.
Colin Marshall went into the referee's notebook for a late challenge on Jackson as he threatened to burst clear.
Book was at full stretch to prevent Faulds from registering a debut goal and Tuohy went on a darting run which took him past three challenges before he shot wide.
Mike Booth was forced to clear a dangerous cut-back from Faulds as Brakes continued to press.
Their pressure paid dividends on the hour as Bellingham was hauled to the ground by Booth as he tried to connect with a cross from Corbett.
Corbett atoned for his miss against Bashley by confidently dispatching the penalty to make it 2-1.
Brakes continued to push forward and James Husband turned Colin Marshall inside out before delivering a cross into the area that was headed back across goal by Corbett. Faulds just cleared the bar with an overhead kick, but the offside flag had already been raised.
Cooper was booked on his return from suspension, and it was from his foul just outside the area that Tiverton drew level, Marshall curling the dead ball over the wall and into the net with Breeden rooted to the spot.
However, Brakes soon restored their advantage, Bellingham swivelling in the area to plant a shot across Book and into the far corner.
Brakes were starting to find more space as Tiverton pushed forward in search of an equaliser and were playing some pleasing stuff on a surface made greasy by the steady rain.
The visitors were denied a fourth goal by the offside flag after Bellingham found the net, but a smart Breeden claim apart, there was little cause for anxiety as Brakes saw out the final few minutes for a much-needed three points.
Brakes: Tony Breeden, Michael Tuohy, James Husband, Adam Cooper, Guy Sanders, Marcus Jackson, Peter Faulds, Chris Murphy, Mark Bellingham, Luke Corbett (Richard Beale, 90), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Andy Gregory, Liam Reynolds, Mykel Beckley, Lee Williams.
