BARROW boss Pete Wild felt a number of factors culminated against his side after they missed the chance to jump into the League Two top three.

The Bluebirds were held to a point by a resolute Accrington Stanley outfit in treacherous conditions at Holker Street on Friday night.

In-form Ben Whitfield came off the bench to open the scoring with his sixth goal in as many games before Joe Pritchard’s point-saver with around 20 minutes to go.

Wild is hoping for some good news ahead of today’s clash away to Wrexham after a festive bug swept through the Barrow camp ahead of the Accrington game.

And the Barrow boss is also hoping for better luck with officials today, as he bemoaned a late “stonewall penalty” not being given for a foul on Emile Acquah against Stanley.

He said: “We’ve had a bout of illness. I’m not making excuses, but there’s a few of them in there who are pretty rough and really ill.

“Rory’s got food poisoning, David Worrall wasn’t ready, he needed another 24 hours to get himself going. 

“Hopefully Proccy is back training with us ahead of today. Hopefully all three of them will be in contention.

“The weather was horrific for both teams. The weather was horrible and a complete leveller.

“It was tough for both teams to get any flow or momentum into the game. 

“All those things considered, it was a tough football match for both teams and a fair result in the end.

“You still look back on it and think if decisions are given that should be given.

“It’s very clear and obvious and yet again for the second game in a row we don’t have the standard of officiating the fans and the football club deserve.”

It’s been back-to-back draws over the Christmas period for the Bluebirds after they conceded a two-goal lead against league-leaders Stockport County and again were pegged back from in front.

But their impressive unbeaten run in the league is up to 14 games with their last loss coming at the beginning of October at Grimsby Town.

“It was a frustrating night,” admitted Wild. “Ultimately, the first half wasn’t good enough. 

“It’s the first team that’s run harder than us in the first half, and that’s what forced us into the three changes.

“I told the three I took off that it wasn’t personal, but I needed to shuffle it up and do something and get things going.

“We were a lot better in the second half.

“But unfortunately, a stonewall penalty again. Unfortunately decisions made by the officials were questionable to say the least.”

Whitfield has been one of the club’s bright sparks in recent weeks.

He’s taken his goal tally for the season to nine with a stunning scoring streak of six in six.

And Wild reserved special praise for his game changer.

He said: “Ben’s been great. You have to be careful, Ben can keep running but you need to pick the right game for the right players.

“Ben had put so much energy into the last two and he would be better coming off the bench and the game would open up.

“That’s how it played out. I’m really pleased again with his contribution and the goal. He’s in fine form and I’m really pleased for him.”