Phil Brown says Barrow AFC must be ready to pounce on a Crawley Town side who are stronger in attack than defence.

While the Bluebirds boss admits John Yems’ side are a threat going forward, he believes they have weaknesses at the back.

AFC could sorely do with a result tomorrow to bolster their survival chances, as they head into another crucial League Two weekend.

They come up against a Red Devils team who have conceded more than just four other sides in the division.

Brown says his team must not be shy in coming forward in Sussex.

“Crawley are what I would call a team that can win a game of football but also lose a game of football,” the Barrow boss said.

“If you look at their defensive record, it’s not the greatest, but the attack can score goals.

“They have a goal threat in their front three. Kwesi Appiah was over in India with me, I’ve watched him on a number of occasions, I tried to get him in Southend and he can be a threat down the middle – for someone who’s 5ft 10in, he’s very good in the air.

“Ashley Nadesan down the middle is a presence, he holds the ball up very well, and Tom Nichols has a goal in him and is a very clever player.

“They’ve got potency – but a defence that concedes goals.

“We’ll get chances, no doubt about that, and we’ve got to be on our front foot regarding them.

“If chances fall to the right people and they can put them away, we can put them on the back foot.

“If that means the game becomes open, hopefully that’s a recipe for success.”

Brown has stressed Barrow will name a strong side at the People’s Pension Stadium despite three players and one staff member having been affected by Covid-19 this week.

The Bluebirds will be aiming to stretch their survival gap to six points on a day second-bottom Stevenage go to Colchester United and third-bottom Oldham Athletic are at Port Vale.

Barrow take on a string of promotion-chasers in their remaining games but Brown says it is vital not to look too far ahead.

“If you start taking your eyes off your next game, you’re in trouble,” he said.

“I got the job with nine games to go, and everyone can do the maths, but you shouldn’t start thinking too far ahead.

“I’ve looked at the first two games since I arrived, and in both we were well in the game – but last Saturday, when that [Port Vale] equaliser came along, that fragile part of being at the bottom end of the division came out again.

“We galvanised ourselves with substitutions and finished the game in a manager that could have seen us win it, but the opposition ultimately did because of their confidence levels.

“We have to put our best foot forward and see if we can win this game and galvanise our season.”