BRAINTREE Town slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Wealdstone to drop into the National League relegation zone, writes DAVID WARD.

It was a completely shambolic and inept second-half display by all the Iron players without exception and there can be no excuses.

Braintree manager Angelo Harrop said: "We've simply been let down by the players this evening because in that second half they sat back, lacked any hunger or desire to keep control of the game.

"It's a worry for me and my staff to see such a bitterly disappointing second-half display from everyone on the field because at half time I told them to keep pressing hard, don't sit back and let's really see this game out and get us over the line with a win.

"But it simply didn't happen for some reason and we need to get this sorted out by our next game on Saturday.

"We didn't have any passion or real desire to win this game whilst the home side, desperate for points after their recent bad run, showed far more commitment, aggression and determination to win every ball - our players lacked all of that and we've paid price and having told them no to sit back that's exactly what they did."

Braintree have the biggest playing budget in the club's history and have ample experience in the side combined with some promising youngsters.

But on the basis of a dreadful second-half display, it was clear to frustrated fans watching the game that some are not deserving of their money.

There's no excuse for this performance, where Braintree lacked the desire and willingness to compete against a lively but not particularly strong home team.

Basic football - like passing the ball to your own players - seemed an impossible task and cohesion and organisation was nowhere to be seen.

It was certainly the worst 45 minutes from a Braintree side for a very long time and Harrop added: "I can't understand it because it was the worst 45 minutes I've seen from my side since I have been here."

It was a big game for both clubs as they hover in the relegation area and Harrop and his backroom team will need to shake up the whole squad if they retain hopes of staying in the National League.

Sam Ashford gave Wealdstone the lead on ten minutes thanks to sloppy defending in the Iron defence in dealing with a right wing corner.

But Iron equalised three minutes later when Louie Annesley headed from a corner.

And they went ahead three minutes later when Sam Howes' dreadful clearance presented Callum Powell with the easiest of tasks to score, with the keeper well out of position.

But it was simply a horror show for the visitors after half-time with players failing to control the ball, chase back to close their opponents down or show any initiative, inclination or determination to win the game.

Alex Reid levelled in the 54th minute before Ashford scored Wealdstone's winner, in the 67th minute.

Iron fans know the relegation writing will be on the wall if the players put in another dreadful performance as they did in the second half of this game.