Goals in each half from Greg Luer put the Hornets in a commanding position – before a late Vlad Paternoster goal jangled the visitors’ nerves.
Horsham held on to claim the three points and extend their unbeaten start to the season to four games.
The Hornets host 19th-placed Farnham Town this Saturday.
Dominic Di Paola’s troops are then due to travel to Ebbsfleet United – whose first four National League South games of the season have been suspended because of the club's ongoing financial problems – on August bank holiday Monday.
See the best of McCartney Martin’s photos from Horsham’s excellent victory at Braintree on this page and the ones linked. McCartney’s full match gallery from Cressing Road can be found here.
Get all the latest Hornets news in the West Sussex County Times, out this Thursday.
17. Horsham FC up to second with Braintree win – the match in pictures
Horsham FC moved up to second in the National League South with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Braintree Town Photo: McCartney Martin
18. Horsham FC up to second with Braintree win – the match in pictures
Horsham FC moved up to second in the National League South with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Braintree Town Photo: McCartney Martin
19. Horsham FC up to second with Braintree win – the match in pictures
Horsham FC moved up to second in the National League South with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Braintree Town Photo: McCartney Martin
20. Horsham FC up to second with Braintree win – the match in pictures
Horsham FC moved up to second in the National League South with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Braintree Town Photo: McCartney Martin