IF it is the case that adverse circumstances bring out the best in people, then tomorrow's Coral Challenge Cup tie at home to York City Knights has come at the perfect time for Barrow Raiders.

The squad has again been ravaged by injuries both short and long-term, while the team are searching for their first win since the opening day of the season against a side who ran in over a half-century of points when they met in the Betfred Championship in February.

Paul Crarey and his players have had to deal with murmurings of social media discontent following last Sunday's 33-26 defeat to previously-winless Swinton Lions too, but the Raiders head coach is urging his side to rally round for tomorrow's fourth-round tie at Craven Park.

"Sometimes, I like the backs-to-the-wall stuff because it shows your character," said Crarey. "It shows your mental toughness and your resolve.

"Sometimes when it's easy, you lose all those qualities and you need to get back to being mentally tough, grinding out results and managing games better and giving you that mindset for when you play these top sides.

"Tomorrow, we could get blown away if we're not ready for York, like we weren't last time, or we can have a scrap. We can fight hard, support each other in everything we do and if we can increase what we do by 10 per cent then it will make a massive difference.

"But we are not far away and, for all the doubters, we haven't been towelled up at home. It's a tough division and we've had to change our team every single week from week one."

The result against Swinton itself may have been disappointing for all concerned, but Crarey has seen enough from the team's video review to be certain they are not far away from turning things around.

He was impressed with the way the Raiders constructed their tries and heartened by scoring 26 points. In defence, Barrow's statistics showed they made a total of 356 tackles, with just 16 missed – of which three were one-on-ones which led to the Lions scoring.

So the effort is there from the players too, while Crarey is grateful to the support he has received in the week after more injuries left Barrow down to the bare bones.

"It hits us every week and it's very difficult," said Crarey. "But I've had a lot of support from the Barrow public this week, and not only down here but up the coast as well saying how tough it is.

"In the six years I've been a professional coach at this club, we've had real tough times and other club are going through the same.

"It's how you react as fans, as a team and a coaching staff, but we're very positive and we've got our heads down working hard."

For their part, York come to Barrow with at least five players missing including ex-Super League pair Ben Cockayne and Graeme Horne, and on-loan St Helens back row Joe Batchelor.

With no league points at stake, Crarey hopes his side can rediscover some confidence too.

"We can go into it and relax," said Crarey. "If we lose, we're out and if we win then we're through to the next round.

"What we need to have is a little bit of passion and belief, which seems to have gone now.

"We just need some consistency in selection, but everyone going on that field is putting in a stint for Barrow Rugby League."