Braintree Town 0 Barrow 2
Braintree Town slipped to a disappointing two-goal defeat at home to seventh-placed Barrow on Saturday, to be two points adrift of safety with just one match remaining.
But manager Hakan Hayrettin knows that mathematically his side can still stay up if they win at Aldershot next weekend, and other results go their way.
“It’s a tall order, but I will keep doing my job to the best of my ability,” insisted Hayrettin.
“I am striving to stay positive – there are no excuses over today’s defeat because we didn’t work hard enough as a team to get something from it, and again basic mistakes cost us dearly.
“I admit it’s been hard work to try and motivate the players in recent weeks, and our results have been really disappointing.
“It’s not been helped by the negativity off the field around the club for the past three months or so, when transparency and togetherness is needed. But we will fight again in this last game and will work hard to avoid relegation,” added Hayrettin,
On the day, Iron matched the Cumbrian visitors before second-half mistakes cost them the game.
During the first period, Michael Cheek caused the visitors problems, but could not fashion a breakthrough.
The second half was different with Barrow in the ascendancy and they opened the scoring on 65 minutes through substitute Bryon Harrison.
It was a scrappy goal, though, created by Moussa Diara out on the right. His cross-cum-shot was bundled home at the far post by Harrison, with the home defence in disarray.
Barrow’s second came on 70 minutes when home defender Jake Goodman allowed Akil Wright to escape free into the home area, where he drilled the ball low past stranded keeper Sam Beasant with a fine shot.
Barrow’s Paul Turnbull was sent off late on, but it did not affect the result. Despite the win, Barrow missed out on the play-offs, due to Aldershot’s 3-0 win at North Ferriby.
After the game Michael Cheek was rewarded with the Braintree Supporters’ Club ‘Player of the Year’ award for his 25-goal haul.
Iron’s final game is at play-off chasing Aldershot next Saturday (kick-off 12.15pm).
Meanwhile, former Braintree boss Danny Cowley celebrated winning promotion to the Football League, after his Lincoln City side beat Macclesfield 2-1 to win the National League title on Saturday.
BRAINTREE: Beasant; Clohessy, Okimo, Goodman, Ashton; Corne (Farrell 74), Isaac, Twardek (Braham-Barrett 56), Hall-Johnson (Barnard 68); Cheek, Midson. Unused subs: Parry, Lee. Attendance: 778.
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