Barnet boss Dean Brennan has called on the club's board to allow him to beef up the squad if they are to sustain a challenge for automatic promotion from League Two.

Brennan was speaking after a 3-1 defeat at home by Swindon Town on Tuesday, in which they named only five of a permitted seven substitutes.

The Bees sit second in the table, but when asked if a top-three finish was the aim, Brennan said: "We're going to need more backing from upstairs if that's going to happen.

"We're one of the smallest clubs in the division - us and Accrington - and we need more support."

The defeat by Swindon ended Barnet's 18-match unbeaten league run, which dated back to March.

And Brennan believes they will need more strength in depth if they are to mount a promotion challenge.

"Today we've had four outfield subs and we can name six," he told BBC Radio London.

"I've got a young kid [goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous] on the bench who is 17. That's an issue for us and something we've got to rectify."

Brennan praised Swindon striker Aaron Drinan, who scored twice, and their goalkeeper Connor Ripley, but said his players let themselves down.

"We missed a lot of chances and we were caught on the counter attack," he said.

"Did we cause our own downfall? Yes, we did, especially at 1-0 [down]. We had four or five amazing chances to make it 1-1, and when that doesn't happen, and they make it two or three on the counter again, you're going to lose football matches.

"They were brilliant. Full credit to Ripley in goal, I thought he was outstanding, and Drinan was the killer at the top end.

"I think the players let themselves down and let me down."