Braintree Town suffered a third defeat on the bounce, to miss a chance to return to the play-off zone last night.

Iron’s 620-mile round trip to Barrow ended in defeat, with a goal conceded in either half. It followed hot on the heels of away reverses at Aldershot Town and Macclesfield.

Kenny Davis had an early shot saved, before Barrow broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, via Jason Walker’s close-range finish.

Iron did have their chances to equalise. Simeon Akinola headed wide just before the half-hour mark, while midfielder Davis had several shots either saved or blocked during a frustrating evening.

Mark Phillips headed over the top, in the 44th minute, but Iron could not fashion a leveller during the second half, and duly conceded a killer second goal in the 81st minute, with Andy Cook on target.

Iron therefore remain in sixth spot, one point behind Tranmere.