BARROW boss Stephen Clemence stressed Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Notts County was a “step in the right direction” despite an historic win slipping through their fingers.

The Bluebirds came within a whisker of a first win over the Magpies since way back in 1966 thanks to for Rory Feely’s early opener.

But David McGoldrick’s stoppage-time penalty ensured last-gasp heartache at Holker Street.

Despite the disappointing end to the game, Clemence was pleased with his side’s performance following back-to-back defeats.

Barrow have picked up just four points from a possible 18. 

But Clemence said: “It’s a step in the right direction. I thought that performance was really good, and I think we should all be looking forward to Saturday’s game now.

“For me, I’m head coach of the team and I have to say that’s the sort of performance I want to see.

“The boys were all action tonight. If I was a supporter in the ground, and I was looking at my team, I saw a group of players who were playing for the badge tonight, and that’s what you want to see as a supporter.

“I’m proud of the boys. We’ve stopped the rot if you like, and we should be looking forward to the weekend’s game now.

“I still think our final pass could be a touch better at times. We just didn’t find that decisive pass. 

“I encouraged the boys to take the shackles off and play with some freedom, and if it doesn’t work out well run back quick and I thought they done that.

“The result’s a decent one, it’s fine. We’re just outside the play-offs, we’re not in a bad position. 

“When I look back at the game a draw might be a fair result. Wyll Stanway made a couple of really good saves in the second-half.

“I’ve obviously watched a lot of Notts County in the last couple of seasons and there aren’t many times where you see their goalkeeper kicking it up the pitch, which shows how good our press was.

“We really got about them, won the ball high and really made them work.

“We probably needed to get that second goal. We got ahead from a set play, but we really needed that second goal, and we couldn’t manage it.”

Clemence, who hit out at the refereeing during Saturday’s defeat at Accrington Stanley, was left frustrated after Elliot Newby was denied an early penalty.

But he refused to moan and groan. He added: “How Newby’s wasn’t given after three or four minutes I do not know. I’ve seen it back and it hasn’t gone our way.

“I think it’s probably a penalty for them at the end, I’m not going to lie. I’m not going to moan about that too much. 

“I’m obviously annoyed about the decision, but I’m not going to go on about it too much. I think at the weekend I was more annoyed because there was three big decisions that went against us.

“It’s just not going our way at the moment.”