Last updated at 19:35, Friday, 28 December 2012

CHRISTMAS cheer was long forgotten and replaced by jeers on the Holker Street terraces as bottom-of-the-table Barrow AFC fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Gateshead.

FRUSTRATING DAY: Striker Adam Boyes looks to the heavens as Barrow AFC go close to scoring against Gateshead at Holker Street yesterday JON GRANGER REF: 50042788B001

The Bluebirds started Boxing Day four points from safety in Blue Square Bet Premier and with optimism in the air. They finished it with that gap having increased to five and boos ringing in their ears.

Bluebirds manager Dave Bayliss and assistant Ashley Hoskin left Holker Street without giving an interview to the media, and pressure is mounting on the pair to turn around a run of eight league games without a win.

In a bid to do so Bayliss plans to spend cash on new players in January. In his matchday programme notes for yesterday’s game, the AFC boss said: “We have been in this unfortunate position before and we have always pulled away from danger. We will do it again.

“Come the January transfer window we will be in action. Well to tell you the truth I have already been in action, talking to players and clubs and I’ve had some positive responses.

“We have tried to operate with youth and enthusiasm, and in some games we have looked good. But the chairman and directors accept that we need an injection of experience and that will be done. They have given me 100 per cent backing to bring in three or four quality players and they will provide the lift we need.

“It will make a change having money to spend – but believe me, it will be spent.”

Gateshead took the lead just before half-time through a Josh Gillies strike. The winger scored his second goal five minutes from the end.

First published at 16:28, Thursday, 27 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk