Third loss in a row makes lengthy journey to Barrow feel even longer for Braintree Town

Vanarama National League

Goals at either end of the game and a failure to make more of their own chances meant Braintree Town’s long trip north to Barrow AFC was a fruitless one for the Iron.

It was a third defeat in a row for Danny Cowley’s team and a dip in form that has come at the worst time in their bid to finish in the Vanarama National League play-off places this year.

Braintree stayed sixth in the table, but their task is looking harder as sides around them continue to pick up points in their own pushes.

The Iron’s defence has proved their strength this season, but goals in the seventh and 81st minutes mean they have now conceded seven in their last three games.

At the other end, there were chances, but there were no strikes for the small contingent of Braintree fans who made the 310-mile trip from Essex to cheer.

Instead it was Barrow’s supporters who were celebrating as they saw their team extend their unbeaten run to nine games with a fourth win in a row.

Braintree made two changes from the side that lost 3-1 at Macclesfield on Saturday.

Boss Danny Cowley brought Sean Marks back into the starting line-up after a couple of weeks out with a hamstring injury and there was also a recall for Mitch Brundle.

Coming out of the side were Michael Cheek and Dan Sparkes who were both rested with places on the bench.

Coming into the game on the back of two defeats, the Iron knew a positive start was important and they were almost given the perfect opening by an error from the hosts.

Kenny Davis was the Braintree player nearly gifted an early chance as an under-hit back pass unexpectedly came to him, however it was a little too unexpected and he was unable to make more of the opportunity.

Instead, it was an error at the other end that saw the scoring opened in the seventh minute.

The mistake came from Tom King from a corner as the Iron keeper was unable to make a clean take of the ball and it fell to feet of Barrow’s Jason Walker, who gleefully poked it home from two yards out.

Braintree tried to come back into the game, with Davis seeing an effort blocked and as the Iron picked up their tempo, they put the hosts under more pressure.

Davis remained an attacking threat and he had a shot from an acute angle in the 32nd minute that Joel Dixon had to tip over in the home goal.

A strong run by Sam Habergham then opened up the Barrow defence and only a last-ditch challenge from Danny Livesey denied the visitors a chance to get back on level terms as they trailed by that single goal at the break.

It was a lively start to the second 45 minutes from the visitors.

They got into some strong attacking positions, with Marks and Simeon Akinola having early sights of the target, but they were unable to really threaten Dixon’s goal.

Matt Fry saw a goalbound header blocked, but having not got the breakthrough, the Iron were pushed back at times as the game opened up and the Bluebirds had spells of pressure at the other end.

The Iron knew they needed to get back into the game, though, and Cowley made changes with Cheek replacing Marks and Sparkes coming on for Chez Isaac as they looked for a way to unlock the Barrow defence.

However, their failure to take chances when they had them was to prove crucial as Barrow went further ahead in the 81st minute.

A ball over the top of the Braintree defence was latched on to by former Grimsby striker Andy Cook, who rolled off the Iron back line and unleashed a fierce shot that flashed past King and in off the post.

It killed off any lingering hopes Braintree had and made the lengthy journey home feel that little bit longer.

Braintree: Tom King, Sam Habergham, Mark Phillips, Matt Fry, Sean Long, Mitch Brundle, Chez Isaac (Dan Sparkes 74), Alex Woodyard, Kenny Davis (Jack Powell 86), Simeon Akinola, Sean Marks (Michael Cheek 63).

Subs not used: Taylor Miles, Anthony Edgar.

Referee: Ollie Yates.