BRAINTREE Town remain in the National League relegation zone after losing 1-0 at home to Sutton United, writes DAVID WARD.

Former Iron striker Will Davies grabbed the visitors' winner, early in the second half.

Another defeat, another disappointing second-half performance, another poor attacking show and again a lack of cohesion and poor passing of the ball all contributed to the Iron's demise at the Rare Breed Meat Stadium and there simply can't be any excuses for the outcome.

Braintree manager Angelo Harrop said: "We started well and were on the front foot and I think we more than matched the opposition.

"But we were caught out by a sucker punch straight after half-time and never really recovered.

"I was pleased overall with the players' response to the midweek defeat and they had a great deal more energy, commitment and worked much harder too.

"We just seem to lack that special piece of creative spark to score despite all the good build up and hard work but we know there are no easy games in this league, because it's intensely competitive.

"I know our fans are frustrated as much as we are but we will keep working to get it right and we want them to continue with their tremendous support and everyone knows that it alright when you're winning but it's harder to take when you're losing."

Until the management solve the problems in attack, the Iron will never look like scoring goals and winning games.

What Braintree fans in the 917 crowd clearly also realise is what is needed is a quick, pacy striker to unsettle defences and shoot goalwards.

The two current, big experienced strikers are too immobile and not quick enough at this higher level and never appear to attempt to shot at their opponents' goal.

Early on in this game, when the Iron did get the ball down and started playing down the wings, they occasionally looked threatening.

But they later on resorted again to hoofing long, high balls forward and it simply doesn't work.

In the second half, at one stage, they sent 13 such high balls forward but only two reached an Iron shirt without any benefit.

It was all too easy for Sutton's defenders to scoop the ball up and then set their players on the attack.

After giving a poor goal away, the Iron huffed and puffed but never really looked like equalising, which was disappointing after such an encouraging start.

To add to the second-half calamity, some Iron fans were somewhat confused by the choice and timing of substitutions made which left a lot to be desired.

Again, it failed to re-ignite the side into possibly getting back into the game and getting a point.

Some of the current Braintree squad have shown in the light of day not to be up to the standard needed, at this higher level.

Harrop knows too that with his budget, it's difficult with players on contract but he needs to ship some of those out and bring in some fresh blood.

Next up for the Iron is a difficult trip to Brackley in the FA Cup, on Saturday with so much at stack financially for the club and for the players and management - kick-off is 3pm.

BRAINTREE TOWN: Lucas, Clampin (sub Fyfield, 79), Terry, Langston, Annesley (sub Blackwell, 87), Robinson, Vennings, Cooper (sub Powell, 64), Wilkinson (sub Akinde, 77), Francis, Effiong. Subs (not used): Balogun, Davidson-Phipps, Lisbie.