ALAN Devonshire is unlikely to delve into the transfer market again before the end of the season, despite revealing his frustration at his side’s 1-0 defeat at AFC Telford on Saturday.

Braintree failed to score for only the sixth time this season in the Blue Square Bet Premier and were put to the sword by substitute Ryan Brooke’s 75th minute header.

The Iron did squander opportunities, most notably through Brendan Kiernan and Aswad Thomas in the second half, as the Essex side left empty-handed following an indifferent performance in Shropshire.

Despite that, with Town relatively comfortable in mid-table, Devonshire revealed he will utilise the players already at his disposal and has urged them to finish the season with a bang.

“I am going to go into the end of the season with the players I have got,” said Devonshire, whose hopes of looking at a trial striker in midweek were dashed when the arrangement fell through.

“I have got a strong squad, with Ben Wright and Britt Assombalonga returning from suspension next week, and I have got enough to be able to change a few things round and rotate a few players.

“I want the players I have at the club to finish strongly, I don’t want things to just peter out.”

For that to happen, Devonshire’s charges will have to improve, at home to Kettering next week, after they only really showed up in patches during the second half.

Pat O’Connor saw a shot saved by home goalkeeper Ryan Young, while the stopper made an impressive parry after Kiernan made a forceful run from half-way.

Kiernan also had a weak shot when he could have squared to Jai Reason while Thomas’ surging run saw the left-back fire over the bar.

Those chances, albeit on the break, cost the Iron as a cross from Sean Newton from the left allowed substitute Ryan Brooke to nip in front of Adam Bailey-Dennis at the near post and guide a low header past Nathan McDonald with 15 minutes to go.

Ashley Cain had a chance to double his side’s advantage but failed while Matt Paine’s late shot flew across goal at the other end as Andy Sinton’s strugglers held on for three vital points in their relegation fight.

“We are better than that,” said Devonshire.

“We have been left with a very disappointed dressing room.

“We did not pass the ball well and lacked a cutting edge.

“It is disappointing because we have earned 43 points this season and have come a long way.”

AFC Telford: Young, Newton, Killock, Perry (Brooke 69), Rooney (Davies 82), Blackburn, Brown (Cain 58), Valentine, Sharp, Smith, Jones. Unused: Robinson, Preston.

Braintree: McDonald, Peters, Bailey-Dennis, Wells, Thomas, O’Connor (Pooley 77), Paine, Davis, Reason, Kiernan (Quinton 70), Marks. Unused: Jones, Guy, Symons.