PAUL Cox was pleased to see a strong Barrow AFC performance at Holker Street as the Bluebirds defeated Maidstone United 3-0.

The result lifted AFC to fourth in the National League and extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches as Paul Turnbull, Jordan Williams and Richie Bennett all found the back of the net.

“It was a good performance, a good result,” aid Cox. “The lads have shoved a few words down my throat from half-time. In the second half, I thought we played some good stuff, we looked a lot more composed on the ball and played the simple pass.

“I thought we should have scored a few more goals, if I’m honest. I thought the scoreline could have been a little bit better.

“We’re growing. We’ve come through a tough set of fixtures, where we have done a lot of travelling, played some top teams. I’m pleased overall.”

Barrow built on a steady first half to pull away after the break and leave the Stones with no chance of victory.

“What we’ve done today, is earned the right to enjoy ourselves,” Cox added.

“We’ve come up against probably one of the longest throws I’ve seen in the game, never mind at this level (from Maidstone’s Alix Flisher). It was enormous, and we had to deal with it.

“But we knew what was coming, we’ve worked on it, we understood. We looked sharper in front of goal and, overall, I thought we controlled the tempo and the pace of the game. I’m really pleased overall.

“The lads deserve all the accolades. It’s lovely to see someone like (National League Player-of-the-Month) Moussa Diarra be recognised today. Sometimes you look at it, and you think it’s after the Lord Mayor’s Show, but he has been eight-and-a-half or nine out of 10 again today. Him and Livesey have been outstanding again today.

“What was nice about this group is that we attack as a team and we defend as a team. As a defensive unit, sometimes our best defenders are our two front boys, who work extremely hard out of possession.

“I read Danny Livesey’s comments, and his comment epitomise what we are all about. We try and become a good side and a good team, and we are getting our just rewards at the minute. That’s pleasing for their hard work.”