For a second week running, Braintree Town were made to pay for not making more of the chances they created by a side that started the day lodged in the Vanarama Conference Premier’s relegation zone.

And with their 1-0 defeat at Altrincham extending their winless run to six games, Alan Devonshire’s side are now just four points outside that drop zone themselves.

The Iron have collected only two points from the last 18 available and just as it did against Southport last week, the lack of a cutting edge in front of goal proved costly.

Devonshire gave a debut to Omar Sowunmi a day after he had joined Braintree on a month’s loan from Ipswich Town.

The 6ft 5in 19-year-old slotted into the centre of the Iron’s back line alongside Alan Massey with Mitch Brundle moved into a holding role in the midfield.

The changes seemed to work early on as it was the visitors who dominated possession and hit the bar with an effort by James Mulley.

However, just as they had against Southport at home seven days before, they failed to turn that domination into the hard currency of goals and were left short-changed by a sucker punch at the other end.

In the 27th minute, Altrincham mounted an attack and after Nick Hamann had saved an initial effort from Shaun Densmore, Nicky Clee pounced on the loose ball to slot the ball into the net.

From that point on, Braintree faced an uphill task.

Altrincham’s goal put the wind in their sails and only a combination of some brave saves by Hamann, last-ditch defending and some wayward shooting on the part of the home strikers kept it at 1-0.

The fact that there was only one goal in it kept Braintree’s hopes up and they pushed hard at the end as Devonshire brought Sean Marks and Dan Sparkes on from the bench.

Kenny Davis did rattle the crossbar for a second time with seven minutes to go, but that was as close as the Iron came and they had to end the game in frustration.