BARROW AFC boss Stephen Clemence says every League Two clash is a challenge no matter if it’s against a team currently at the top of the pile or one fighting it out at the bottom.

The Bluebirds suffered derby defeat at home to Morecambe last weekend – losing 1-0 against The Shrimps, who before that game were bottom of the table.

Today they face an Accrington Stanley side currently sitting just outside the relegation spots.

But Clemence is still expecting a tough test at the Wham Stadium this lunch time (kick-off 12.30pm).

He told The Mail: “I think Accrington are another team that has been a bit unfortunate this season.

“They probably could have picked up more points than they have done, a bit like Morecambe last week.

“Only last week, I watched footage of Morecambe playing Accrington Stanley as part of our preparation for our game against Morecambe, and it was a very competitive fixture.

“So, I’m expecting another tough League Two game, which they all are.”

Defeat against The Shrimps last weekend saw the Bluebirds drop down to sixth place in the league table.

But they are still just two points off current league leaders Port Vale.

With just four points between top spot and Crewe Alexandra in ninth, things are very tight at the top of the league.

Barrow boss Clemence admits his side need to make sure they build another run to keep themselves in the mix.

He added: “We know recently we haven’t had the results that we were picking up at the start of the season.

“I’ve never been one to blame injuries or anything like that, and I think we’ve got a squad strong enough to compete against anybody.

“But what I will say is that we’ve maybe at the start of the season we were coming out on the right side of some tight games, and recently we’ve come out on the wrong side of some tight ones.

“But what we will do is keep trying to improve and I am sure at some stage in this season we will go on some more good runs.

“I’ve got no doubt that we will do that as the season progresses.

“We’ve got another opportunity today to go out there and put some points on the board, which like I say will be a tough game, but we are looking forward to getting back out there.”