BRAINTREE TOWN have dipped to fourth in National League South after going down 3-1 at home to Havant and Waterlooville.

All the goals came in the second half, with Marcel Barrington grabbing the Iron consolation.

Jason Prior converted a hat-trick of penalties for the Hampshire side, breaking the deadlock after 48 minutes.

He then added his side’s second soon after before Barrington halved the deficit on 66 minutes.

It was his first goal for the club and came from close range, after a low cross from Karl Oliyide, who had been fed by substitute Roman Michael-Percil.

However, Braintree were unable to force an equaliser and instead it was the visitors, through Prior again, who stretched their lead to 3-1.

It was the Iron’s first league defeat since going down 4-3 at Hemel Hempstead Town on September 9.

The only consolation was the other sides around them in the table also lost.

Chelmsford City, St Albans City and Welling United were all defeated, while Truro City had to be content with a point against struggling Bognor Regis Town.

Braintree are back at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium next weekend, for a home match against Bognor.