BRAINTREE Town can have no complaints after losing 2-1 at York City in the National League, writes DAVID WARD.

The Iron came away from the LNER Stadium on Tuesday evening with nothing to show for their determined efforts because quite simply they were beaten by a far more experienced side, oozing with quality and confidence and clearly in a different class.

Braintree manager Angelo Harrop said: "In terms of quality it showed that we are short of it and although the players did well, they dug in and worked hard the more experienced home side showed up what we are currently missing.

"We had a great start taking the lead in the fourth minute but we then fell away and conceded two really sloppy goals before half time that naturally put us on the back foot.

"I'm really disappointed with the way we gave those two goals away because it was down to individual mistakes and it hurts because we have for so long been really good defensively.

"It was a really difficult evening for us against a big, powerful side with huge vocal support and although we worked hard we simply didn't have the quality they had all over the park.

"We have many young players in the side and they have a lot to learn and although their work rate was excellent you have to show the kind of quality they have to win games.

"I'm disappointed we lost and I had losing and yes it was only by one goal but had we not given away those two dreadful goals before the interval I think we could have taken something from the game.

"We did rally late on and could have snatched a draw with the decent goal chances we had and that's the difference at this level - you get punished for your mistakes much more quickly and you simply have to take the chances that you have."

(Image: SCOTT WEAVER)

The truth of the matter is that in reality Braintree simply don't have overall the quality of players at present to sustain their position in the top non-league division.

York played neat, passing and patient football with the Iron players, particularly in midfield, seemingly lost as to how to cope with the situation and they further let themselves down with some dreadful passing at times.

Bringing on late substitutes certainly gave the Iron a fresh impetus but again with the home defence now stretched, it was the old story of not capitalising on those goalscoring chances when they should have scored.

Clearly the 41 loyal Iron fans who made the midweek trek as part of the 4,494 crowd were naturally disappointed with the at times lack of quality from their players, who often seemed mesmerised by York's cautious, deliberate passing game.

The Iron certainly missed in defence Joe Grimwood, who was recalled late from his loan by Barnet.

But the one outstanding Iron player of the evening was Jamal Fyfield, who filled that gap magnificently and again showed what class and quality the side needs all over the park.

The Iron had a great start scoring in only the fourth minute through Frankie Terry and for several minutes looked confident in adding to their tally.

But two appalling individual mistakes on 15 minutes and 42 minutes from Ricky Aguiar and Ashley Nathaniel-George respectively allowed York to take the initiative and deservedly so.

Both these goals were what neutral observers would call Sunday league defending - and it was simply that.

On this showing at least it's going to be a tough, hard campaign for Braintree to stay up at this level because they will repeatedly come up against quality and experienced sides like York, who simply will sweep them aside.

Sadly, that's a fact of life for the Iron who don't have that level of quality and so consistency to win games.

The Iron face another tough game away to Barnet on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.