It was a case of two points dropped rather than a point gained for Braintree Town in their 1-1 draw with Dover Athletic at the Crabble on Saturday.

The Iron clearly had the upper hand in the second half, causing all sorts of problems for the home defence, but wasted chance after chance to snatch what would have been a deserved win.

It led to frustration for the big contingent of Iron fans who made the trip to the Kent coast in a 660-strong crowd as they saw their side dominate for long periods but fall down at the crucial last moment.

Some last-ditch home defending also thwarted the Iron, along with some extraordinarily and at times unorthodox saves by keeper Billy Terrell, with clearly more work to be done on the training ground by boss Angelo Harrop to develop this latest new-look side into the shape and potential from last season's play-off team.

"Yes, it's frustrating because we are not playing as well I know we can and we should be," said Harrop.

"We all know this league is a tough level at which to compete and it's proving difficult to get the new players coming in, all from at least one level lower than us in the pyramid, to gel right from the start.

"We have limited resources too compared to many sides in this league but we showed last season how we can develop players, particularly the younger ones, and have a really good team and can progress.

"This game was particularly frustrating because in the second half we pressed hard into their half, got players into good positions and created chances but a combination of things made us not finish them off properly.

"But we will keep working away at aspects of our game like we did last season with a new side and I'm sure we will come good again but it does need sone patience."

Harrop again praised the great support given to the players at the Crabble by fans, adding: "Their vocal support for the team means a lot the players and it does encourage them to up their game and keep pushing forward towards scoring goals and winning matches."

One of the outstanding contributions was recent signing Tom Blackwell, who has become a firm favourite with the Iron fans and again created openings for teammates as well always looking a threat every time he ventured into the home side's half.

Blackwell was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring in the first minute when he skipped through the home defence but saw his low shot come back off the inside of the left-hand post before the ball was finally cleared.

He did set up the Iron's opening goal four minutes later with his inswinging corner from the right dropped for skipper Kyran Clements to drive into the net.

Three more times in the game Clements saw headers fly just inches wide of the upright and Blackwell was unlucky late on when his crosses into the box were somehow scrambled away by panic stricken home defenders.

The hosts equalised on 26th minute when inexperienced Iron youngster Harry Beadle fouled a home forward in the box, leaving James Dunne to fire home the resultant spot-kick.

But perhaps the best chance for an Iron winner came on 80 minutes when substitute Nnamdi Nwachuku was slipped clean through on the right side of the area but a tremendous one-handed save on the ground by Terrell pushed the attacker slightly wide and his angled shot brushed the side netting.

It really summed up the Iron's afternoon and they face a home game against Chippenham Town on Saturday (3pm) followed by a long trip to Torquay on Bank Holiday Monday.

Players and staff will travel down on Sunday and stay overnight in the resort to ensure they are fresh for the 3pm kick-off.