Braintree Town extended their impressive away run, but were frustrated not to take all three points in a 0-0 draw at a windswept Tamworth on Saturday.

Alan Devonshire’s men have only suffered one defeat in 10 away league and cup games this season, an impressive record.

Yet they let lowly Tamworth off the hook, and will be disappointed to drop out of the Skrill Conference Premier play-off zone as a result – such are their high standards this season.

The Lambs, just one place above the relegation zone, were staring down the barrel when debutant Charlie Allen was sent off in the first half.

Gillingham loanee Allen had only been on the pitch for eight minutes, following his introduction as a 33rd minute substitute, when he was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on midfielder Chez Isaac.

It was one-way traffic, with Iron trying to break down a stubborn Tamworth defence, although their cause was not helped by a strong cross-wind.

Dan Holman came closest to breaking the deadlock, from a narrow angle in the 69th minute, with a rising shot that struck the bar.

Skipper Kenny Davis was also denied by a good save from keeper Cameron Belford, who tipped his 18-yarder over the bar.

By contrast, struggling Tamworth never mustered a shot on target all afternoon. Andy Todd spurned their best effort, seeing his close-range shot soar over the bar in the 80th minute.

Iron have won five and drawn four of their 10 games on the road this season, their one reverse coming with an unlucky 1-0 defeat at Grimsby in mid-September.

And Grimsby’s 2-1 win at Woking on Saturday has enabled the Mariners to displace Iron in the top five, although the Essex club are only one point and one place adrift of the play-offs.