BARROW AFC manager Paul Cox is still feeling positive despite losing 1-0 away at Guiseley to dent their play-off hopes.

After suffering two defeats in as many games – one against Tranmere in the FA Trophy and this in the National League – he urged supporters not to be too down.

"I was disappointed on Saturday, tonight I don't know how we lost it, I'm gutted for the players, it was a good performance," said Cox.

The loss was down mainly to the form of Guiseley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who played a key role.

Cox acknowledged this, and said: "He made some world-class saves. He was frustrating to play against, I thought we'd scored on a few occasions.

"If I'm being honest, there was one chance that was saved, I was up celebrating, I really thought it was a goal, so I have to applaud him."

Cox made it clear that he feels he saw many good things from the Bluebirds' performance.

"The positive for me is we worked hard,” he added of a team who still sit eighth in the National League ahead of Saturday's home match with Sutton United. “We can't get our heads down. This side reminded me of the one that went on the 26-game unbeaten run, if we play like that we can beat anyone in the league."

Cox revealed top-scorer Byron Harrison is set to make his comeback from an ankle injury which has sidelined him for more than a month.

The Bluebirds have won just two games in his absence, and Cox said: "Byron Harrison is a top player, a goal-scorer, and he is closing in on being back. That is the kind of boost we need, he can be a difference."

At full-time, Cox had a heated conversation with referee Steven Rushton, and he said: "I don't want to rant, I just want consistency. I felt there were a few moments where I felt it didn't happen.

“I appreciate they have a tough job, I just feel this is a very professional league, the referees maybe just need a bit of help.

“When I was in League Two, you got to know the referees, they would attend training with each club, that relationship was built up and helped them perform."

Cox is aiming for a good end to the campaign now, with 13 games to go and five points separating his side from the play-off, and he still feels they can achieve something.

"It's going to be an interesting end to the season, we know we will get a bit of luck and that could be the difference for our points haul,” he said. “I thought we played as well tonight as we did in the win over Lincoln.

"We know that it will be close to get into the play-off places. I'm looking at 80 points as the aim, and I think we can get to that by the end of the campaign."