Barrow ‘will give everything’ to avoid relegation

Barrow player-boss Sam Foley is not giving up hope of avoiding relegation from the English Football League after his side’s damaging 3-1 home loss to Walsall.

The Bluebirds had boosted their survival hopes with a dramatic 3-2 win over Oldham in midweek, but Saturday’s drab defeat leaves them in the League Two relegation zone with just two games to play.

Albert Adomah’s opener and Mason Hancock’s double put the visitors 3-0 up and all Barrow could manage was a late consolation from Jovan Malcolm.

Foley said: “It’s disappointing coming off the highs of Tuesday.

“We knew it would be a challenge physically and mentally for the lads.

“But the performance was disappointing. The goals we conceded and the play was down to our own doing at the end and that’s what’s really disappointing.

“The effort the lads are putting in at the minute and the levels they showed on Tuesday it was always going to be tough.

“We didn’t want it to be a negative but for them to reproduce they were going to have to dig deep.

“I’m not saying they didn’t work hard. They worked their socks off like they do every day. But you need to marry that up with your football and good decisions and it just didn’t click for us.

“We’ve got two games left that will define our season and we’ll give them everything.”

Walsall caretaker boss Darren Byfield was proud of his side’s response to the 4-0 hammering by Cheltenham last weekend.

Adomah fired the visitors ahead in the 33rd minute and the lead was doubled when Hancock scored from a corner in first-half stoppage time.

Hancock wrapped up the points in the 68th minute as his low free-kick beat everyone before substitute Malcolm pulled one back in the 88th minute for the well-beaten hosts.

Byfield said: “I was delighted with the performance.

“We knew last week that we let ourselves down collectively and we had to put that right today.

“It’s a tough place to come. We haven’t won here in five visits so we’re really pleased.”

Defender Hancock’s goals were his first for the club.

Byfield added: “Mase is a top player. He’s been a standout performer since he’s come back from his injury.

“I’m delighted for him. I’m guessing he would have wanted a clean sheet as well but you can’t have it all sometimes.

“He played really well. It was a great performance from him. I’m glad he got his goals.”