PAUL Cox has warned his Barrow AFC players they cannot afford any more lapses in concentration ahead of tonight's Vanarama National League trip to Southport.

The Bluebirds' last two matches have seen them undone by late equalisers which could have been prevented when they seemed on course for wins.

The positive is they have still only suffered one loss from their first nine games of the 2016/17 season, but manager Cox is well-aware his side could have had four extra points on the board had they been able to hold on against Bromley and Boreham Wood.

“That's the brutality of football,” said Cox. “I've not being hard on the players since the season started because that's one defeat in nine, but it's the draws we need to turn into wins - especially on our home patch.

“We've had two clubs who have travelled all the way up from London and although we probably haven't started well in both, I thought in the second half we've finished really well.

“What it is, it's just sloppy mistakes in bad areas and at bad times of the game which are costing us at the minute.

“If we put that right, we'll start putting a set of wins on the board rather than a win and a couple of draws.”

Cox is also pleased with the progress exciting winger Jordan Williams continues to make, although the 23-year-old was slightly quieter than usual in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood.

However, Cox is eager to temper the expectations on the former Burscough and Northwich Victoria wide man, and ensure Williams can go on to fully realise his undoubted potential.

“Because of the standards he sets for himself, everyone expects him to be a superstar every game,” said Cox.

“He's still a young boy who is learning his trade at this level of football, and his work ethic, his desire, every time he picks the ball up he puts people on the back foot - that will always be there.

“He's going to have games where he's not outstanding and brilliant, and we just need to support him through his education now and at this stage of his career.

“His set pieces and crosses into the box are excellent, and he needs a little support. He's a good player and one we want to keep at this club for a long time.”

Tonight's opponents Southport have endured a difficult start to the National League season, sitting 23rd of 24 teams with just one win on the board.

However, they earned a creditable 1-1 draw at big-spending Eastleigh over the weekend under new manager Steve Burr, and feature some familiar faces in the former of ex-Barrow trio Neil Ashton, Ashley Grimes and Louis Almond.

And Cox wants Barrow to produce a similar display at Haig Avenue to when they secured their first away victory of the season at North Ferriby United last month.

“We went to North Ferriby and got a win, but we've got to concentrate and impose ourselves on the game,” said Cox.

“When we do that, we're a very, very good side. When we sit off teams and allow them to dictate then we're not so good.

“Southport will be tough game, like they all are in this league, and we've got to earn the right to go and win a football match. The one thing about this group of players is the desire to work hard and try to win is there with them all.

“It's just now, patches of concentration we need to improve on. If we do that, we're not a bad side at this level of football.”