MOUSSA Diarra has praised the helping hand he has received from team-mates and coaches alike in stepping up to the National League elite.

The French central defender was named league player-of-the-month for September amid a run of high-class displays as the back for Barrow.

Diarra has formed a solid partnership in the heart of the defence with Danny Livesey, who has applauded his less experienced partner for his efforts so far this term.

The 26-year-old repaid the favour, citing Livesey and full-back Shaun Beeley as having helped him progress his game since a summer move from Hampton and Richmond.

“It's good to be part of the unit, because it makes my game much easier, especially with Danny Livesey,” Diarra said. “He is always giving me advice and help for my game. Sometimes when I want to know something, he will show me what to do and he has really helped me. He has good experience – and he covers me well as well!

“Shaun Beeley has given me a lot of advice and he is always there for me. I'm really lucky to have them around me.”

Likewise, Diarra has seen his game progress thanks to the efforts of manager Paul Cox and assistant Gary Simpson.

The pair have worked with the 6ft 5ins centre-back throughout pre-season and into the campaign to help him improve aspects of his game which needed developing.

“Since the start of training, they have given my advice and told me what is what,” added Diarra. “They have shown me what I have to do if I want to be successful at this well. After that, it's up to me.”

Diarra did score an unfortunate own-goal in Barrow's 2-1 FA Cup win over Tranmere at the weekend.

He headed the ball over the top of keeper Joel Dixon to gift Rovers an equaliser, but Cox praised his attitude after the slip, saying: “It was tough. It was short, sharp initiation for Moussa. He knows where he went wrong. With Moussa, it sometimes tells you about the person, he put in an outstanding second half.

“I have seen some players crumble. He knew he had made a mistake, he knew he had done wrong, but he was a colossus in the second half, especially when they threw everything at us late on."