BARROW AFC face a 'massive' National League clash at Chester tonight, with caretaker boss Neill Hornby recognising the importance of getting a result.

The Bluebirds need victory at the Deva Stadium to guarantee remaining out of the relegation zone (7.45pm kick-off).

They have been hovering precariously above the bottom four for the past six weeks, having lost six and drawn two of their last eight league matches, and a loss would see their hosts – now managed by Marcus Bignot, who had a spell in the Barrow back-room staff earlier this season – climb above them.

Likewise, even with a draw AFC could drop down a spot, with Guiseley's win at the weekend bringing them level on points with Barrow, meaning victory for them over Boreham Wood has the potential to see them escape the drop-zone.

With so many possible permutations, Hornby – whose first match in charge was a 3-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, despite an improved effort and performance – recognises the significance of the match-up on the Welsh border.

“There's no way of getting away from it – it's massive. It's an absolutely massive game for us,” said Hornby, who has ruled himself out of contention to take the Barrow job on a permanent basis.

“At any other time of the season, with an away game you'd be happy with a point, but we will go there and try to get three points, that's out ultimate goal.

“I've got a team in mind that will be full of attacking intent, and we will have a go, just as we did on Saturday – particularly in the second half. We'll have a go, and if we keep it tight and cut out the individual mistakes, then we have enough quality in the team to get the three points.”

Hornby was particularly pleased with the commitment of the players and their effort at Ebbsfleet, where Bedsente Gomis scored both Barrow goals after coming off the bench.

He hopes to see more of the same at Chester tonight, and said: “The attitude of the players was absolutely tremendous, the work-rate of the players. Sometimes in football, you look around the dressing room after somebody has been beaten and you see some players aren't hurting, but I can assure you that every single member of that squad, including Donovan, who was unfortunate to be sat in the stand, was hurting after Saturday.

“They were hurting, they were tired. It was such an effort, and I demanded an effort – I got it from them in the second half, and I want more of the same of that second-half performance in particular.”

Alex-Ray Harvey should be fit to feature at Chester, though he will undergo a fitness test on the back injury picked up in Kent.

Dan Jones' recovery from a knee problem has been hit by a sickness bug, meaning he will not be fit to feature, though both he and Moussa Diarra (hamstring) will take part in training both before and after the game to assess their recoveries.