BARROW AFC have hit the target in their search for a new front man.

The Bluebirds have landed experienced former Football League striker Byron Harrison after he signed a deal on Friday night.

The 29-year-old comes to Holker Street from League One Chesterfield, where he spent a season-and-a-half. He will make his first appearance in a Barrow shirt in the pre-season friendly against Carlisle United on Saturday.

Harrison finished last year on loan at League Two Stevenage, where he bagged three times in nine appearances. He was released by the Spireites on his return to the club.

While his goal return over the past two-and-a-half years have not been spectacular, Harrison has 42 goals to his name from 188 Football League appearances, where he has been playing since a first spell with Stevenage between January 2011 – following their promotion – and January 2012.

At 6ft 3ins, he is in a similar mould to both Jon Parkin and Matt Rhead – each a target for AFC in recent weeks, with the former instead joining Newport County and the latter remaining at Lincoln City.

Barrow manager Paul Cox sees him as a valuable addition to a front line which already features former Chester hotshot Ross Hannah and the up and coming Richie Bennett.

“We're buying into his experience and his know-how at this level,” said Cox. “He's what we've been looking for in terms of having someone with presence up top, but more importantly, he mobile – he's still got legs, he still gets around the pitch and he's got a bit of pace about him.

“Not only is he good with his back towards goal and can he lead the line well, but he can do other aspects of the game as well – he can run the channels, he can score goals and he's another good signing for us.”

Cox sees Harrison as a different prospect to Bennett, despite both of them offering height and pace in attack.

The experience attacker's ability to hold the ball up is seen as vital, and Cos added: “We're looking for somebody up there who is different to what we have.

“Richie Bennett is at the stage now where I want him to understand what he is about. At the minute, he isn't going to be a Matt Rhead or a Parkin. We had a glimpse of him when he outstripped the Forest defence on Saturday with pace. He's going into a phase where he needs to understand what he is and what he is going to become.

“I don't think Richie's major asset is with his back towards goal. With Byron, we're looking for somebody who can do that, who can lead the line and bring other people into play. Someone who can affect the game in both boxes.”