Sutton United boss Paul Doswell admitted that defeat to Braintree Town did more damage than back to back defeats on the road.

Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat, when two goals from the Iron’s skipper Chez Isaac over-turned a Nicky Bailey penalty, leaves United 14th in the National League and without a win in three games.

Moreover, they have scored just twice in five games – and Bailey tops the season’s stats with three spot-kicks.

And life will get no easier at Gander Green Lane this weekend when title contenders Tranmere Rovers are the visitors live on BT Sports (kick-off 12.15pm).

Doswell said: “We have got to stick together, keep fighting and make sure that when the time comes we stick the ball in the back of the net, because at the minute that is hurting us.

“In this league you get punished for one error, and that seems to have happened to for the past few games now.

“We did not play great against Braintree. We did well at Gateshead and at Wrexham, but by our standards we were poor against Braintree.”

He added: “If you look at start we’ve had – Lincoln City, Chester, Macclesfield, Dagenham, Wrexham - we’ve played virtually every ex-League side.

“The game we expected to win was against Braintree – no disrespect to them – but having played the big boys, you want to get the results against Guiseley, North Ferriby and Southport.

“The table will not lie at the end of the season and you need to beat those teams who might be in and around you.”