After Barrow AFC’s 0-0 draw against Wrexham, manager Ian Evatt was pleased with the way his side were able to match their high-flying opponents at Holker Street.

The Bluebirds backed up their victory at Aldershot Town last Saturday with another encouraging performance, this time against visitors who are challenging for promotion from the National League.

There wasn’t a big crowd inside the ground – only 851 braved the cold and damp conditions – but those inside will have been impressed with how much tougher a challenge AFC present with their new 3-4-1-2 formation.

It could have been an even greater night as well, with the hosts having several chances to pick up their biggest scalp of the campaign so far.

Evatt said: “I thought in the first half we more than matched them – we were the better team, we had the better chances and probably should have been one or two up.

“In the second half, I thought they came on a bit more strong, but we never really looked like conceding, to be honest.

“We were solid, we were dogged and the effort from the players was outstanding.

“I thought they backed up that performance at Aldershot and to come here again tonight and give me that effort, that desire and that commitment. They worked their socks off and I can’t be more pleased with them.”

What’s been particularly pleasing in the past two games is how much better Barrow stand up to pressure on their goal since their switch to three at the back.

During their run of six defeats on the spin, it was commonplace for the defence to crumble, wind up conceding soft goals and not make it difficult enough for their opponents to score against them.

They have now kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season, with that recent solidity giving them a more solid base to work from.

Evatt said: “I’m really pleased and I think we’ve adapted to the new shape very well defensively. Our structure is good.

“I think we can still improve in possession, but I understand, after the run we’ve been on, why all of a sudden they become a bit nervy.

“We had a suspension in Dan Jones tonight, we had an injury at half-time with Brian Wilson, but the lads who’ve come on or started, like Kyle Jameson, have slotted into the shape really well.

“Four points in the last two games, after the six defeats we had, is very pleasing.”