Braintree Town 0 Barrow AFC 2

Tyler Smith took his goal tally for the season into double figures, as Barrow AFC ended a successful week with victory at the National League’s bottom side, Braintree Town.

A look at the scoreline would suggest that this was a comfortable three points for the Bluebirds, but it was far from that as Braintree largely dominated the 54 minutes that separated the two goals.

There were times where they were hanging on slightly to the lead given to them early on by Kemy Agustien’s superb free kick, but their newfound steeliness was again on display at Cressing Road.

They’ve now won back-to-back away games for the first time in just over a year and with seven points gained from the last nine, their season looks well and truly back on track after their autumn blip.

There was just one change from the goalless draw against Wrexham on Tuesday, as Dan Jones returned from suspension to take his place in the back three for Brian Wilson, who suffered a calf injury in midweek.

Barrow were ahead after just nine minutes, as Agustien whipped a wonderful free kick into the top corner that gave George Legg no chance in the Braintree goal for his first strike for the Bluebirds.

It was the first threat to either goal after what had previously been an even start, but the lead should have been wiped out within eight minutes.

Billy Crook chipped in a free kick from the left that Joe Ellul headed goalwards, only for Cullum Morton, who was making his debut for Braintree on loan from West Brom, to somehow lift the ball over from virtually underneath the bar.

The Iron had responded well and threatened again when Morton played in a dangerous low ball from the right that Kyle Jameson did well to clear away.

It was turning into bit of a rocky spell for AFC, with Ejiro Okosieme looping a header over after Christie Pattison had been given too much time to hang in a cross from the left.

Braintree were repeatedly being afforded space on the flanks, as they did most of the pressing going into half-time, with John Rooney allowing his frustrations to get the better of him when he ploughed into Okosieme, a challenge for which he was booked.

The visitors went into half-time with their lead still intact, despite them playing nowhere near their best and they began the second half on the back foot as well.

Morton had another good chance within four minutes of the restart, as he headed Crook’s cross wide having been left unmarked in the Barrow area.

From a rare attack, the Bluebirds felt they should have had a penalty, as Tyler Smith appeared to have his legs taken away from under him in the Braintree box when he was about to shoot.

Ellul then headed yet another Iron set-piece across goal only for Morton, who was enduring a difficult afternoon to allow the ball to roll under his boot at the back post.

The hosts were made to rue their missed chances as AFC doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Smith chased down Agustien’s long ball before rounding Legg and rolling the ball into the empty net.

He was rather ludicrously booked for his celebrations with the Barrow fans, but having lost games they’ve dominated on several occasions this season, it was nice for the shoe to be on the other foot this time.

The second goal finally settled the Bluebirds down, with Braintree’s defence soon having to scramble the ball clear after Legg’s fumble from Norrington-Davies had rebounded off Smith.

The top scorer then fired a good chance over the bar from the edge of the area after Jason Taylor’s pass had put the pacey teenager in behind.

Braintree continued to bombard the Barrow defence with long throws, but they held firm for their third clean sheet on the bounce, on an afternoon where luck went with the Bluebirds for a change.

Braintree Town (4-3-3): Legg, Muleba, Ellul (Webber 79), Okosieme, Gabriel, Sagaf (Wabo 71), Richards, Crook, Pattison (Clayton-Phillips 56), Morton, Barrington

Subs not used: Della-Verde, Ochieng

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Jameson, Granite, Jones, Barthram, Taylor, Agustien (Jennings 71), Norrington-Davies, Rooney (Burgess 86), Blyth, Smith (Hindle 74)

Subs not used: Brown, Kay

Referee: Declan Bourne

Attendance: 482