BRAINTREE TOWN’S survival hopes suffered another dent after losing 3-1 at Harrogate Town.

The Iron took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Justin Amaluzor.

The ex-Barnet striker cut inside before curling an effort into the top corner.

However, Harrogate were on level terms before the break thanks to Jack Muldoon.

They grabbed their second just after the hour-mark, through George Thompson.

And they hammered the final nail in Braintree's coffin deep into stoppage time, with a third goal coming from Michael Woods.

The Iron dropped back to the bottom of the table as fellow strugglers Dover Athletic won 2-1 at home to Hartlepool United.

Maidstone United and Chesterfield occupy the other two relegation spots and both have 19 points – six more than Braintree.

Maidstone crashed to a 5-2 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville while Chesterfield took a point from their 1-1 draw at Eastleigh.

All four sides in the drop zone have played 21 games while Maidenhead United – a point above the relegation zone, having only played 20 – gave themselves a boost by winning 1-0 at Sutton United.

Braintree, who have now lost three in a row, now have two important home games coming up.

They host Sutton, who are just outside the play-off places, on Tuesday before mid-table Barrow visit the Ironmongery Direct Stadium next Saturday.

Meanwhile, Braintree confirmed both a new signing and a player departure on the eve of Saturday’s game.

Hakan Hayrettin’s side bolstered their midfield options by signing 25-year-old Courtney Richards from Nuneaton Borough.

However, Reece Grant has departed to join Aldershot Town.