BRAINTREE TOWN’S promotion push suffered a dent after losing 2-0 at home to Bath City.

Brad Quinton’s men started the day in the last play-off place but had won just two of their previous ten Vanarama National League South matches.

They were also without a victory in their last four and that unfortunate run continued after a disappointing result at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium.

Both goals came in the first half and were scored by Nat Jarvis and Jack Compton.

The first was a straightforward tap-in after a shot from the corner of the box by Anthony Strakar.

Goalkeeper Nathan McDonald could only spill the ball and Jarvis had the simple task of slotting home from close range.

Bath’s second followed soon after and was an excellent individual effort by Compton, who found the back of the net with a curling, first-time effort from out wide.

McDonald was left rooted to the spot as it landed in the top corner.

Braintree have no midweek action but head to the Sussex coast to take on struggling Bognor Regis Town next Saturday.

The Iron have now dropped to eighth in the table, with Bath one place and one point behind.

The good news for Quinton’s side was that Hemel Hempstead Town and Truro City - both in the play-off places - both lost on Saturday.

Hemel Hempstead went down 2-0 at Oxford City while Truro lost 3-1 at home to Wealdstone.

Havant and Waterlooville, in third, won 3-1 at Poole Town while fourth-placed Chelmsford City pulled off an eye-catching 2-1 victory at leaders Dartford.