BRAINTREE Town’s clash at Barrow today may carry all the hallmarks of a mid-table dead rubber, but the fixture could have some added spice.

Almost two months ago, a contentious second-half strike from Aswad Thomas settled an ill-tempered clash between Town and nine-man Barrow at the Amlin Stadium.

Dean Wells looked to have carried the ball at least a yard out of play when he cut it back for Thomas to hit home for the winner.

The game had carried needle throughout, especially after Andy Cook was dismissed as early as the third minute for an off the ball incident.

The striker claimed he was nowhere near the incident and was infuriated, especially as the original decision by referee Rob Merchant was to send off his strike partner Adam Boyes.

Late in the second half, Barrow’s woes continued when Joseph Jackson was sent off for lashing out at Wells.

Manager Alan Devonshire will be able to call upon the services of Yeovil midfielder Billy Gibson who has signed on loan from the Glovers until the end of the season.

Gibson, 21, began his career at Watford but joined the West Country outfit two years ago and has gone on to play nine times for the League One side.

London-born Gibson also spent time on loan at Wealdstone, scoring twice in five appearances.

Braintree, in 13th, are two points behind today’s 12-placed opponents with a game in hand and sit a further 13 points off the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off places.

A Football Association inspection of the Iron’s ground improvements that are required to be completed by next Saturday, in order for Town to maintain their place in Conference Premier, was due to take place yesterday.