THE competition among Barrow AFC's strikers to claim one of the two starting places is driving Ross Hannah on to succeed.

The former Chester FC front-man has found himself confined to the bench of late, as Richie Bennett and Byron Harrison have started the last nine National League matches.

Added to that, manager Paul Cox has brought in Leicester City product and Saint Kitts and Nevis international Harry Panayiotou and former Sheffield United youth Dan Cockerline to bolster his attacking options.

Hannah almost proved the match-winner in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wokingh when, after appearing as a substitute around the hour mark, he saw a fierce volley parried away by Woking keeper Brandon Hall.

Hannah's energetic cameo at Woking will give Barrow boss Paul Cox plenty of food for thought ahead of tonight's trip to Wrexham, when the Bluebirds will look to extend their unbeaten league run to 12 matches.

And far far from being disheartened by the increased competition, Hannah says he is thriving on it, using it to push him on in his desire to add to his two league goals and his hat-trick in the recent Lancashire Senior Cup win over Bury and become a regular starter once again.

“It separates the strong from the weak,” the 30-year-old South Yorkshireman said of the increased rivalry for a place in the first eleven. “If you're mentally strong, then that competition spurs you on and brings even more out of you. I'm certainly in that bracket.

“Anyone who comes in just makes me work even harder.

“The more competition there is, the better the squad is, so it's all good.”

Hannah's place in the starting line-up, which he occupied for five of the first seven matches alongside Harrison, has been taken by impressive newcomer Bennett, who he replaced from the bench on Saturday.

Towering 25-year-old Bennett made a move up the football pyramid from Northwich Victoria in the summer and has adapted superbly and scored goals at regular intervals. Despite it keeping him out of the side, Hannah has been pleased to see Bennett's progress, having worked hard with him during pre-season and at training to help him adapt to the new level.

“I've got a good relationship with Richie, we get on really well,” Hannah said. “We're all in what we call the Strikers' Union, we've all got each other's backs.

“I'm the eldest, Byron is only a little bit younger. Richie is always asking for advice, wanting to work hard on and off the pitch.

“We'll stay behind on Thursdays and Fridays after training to do a bit of finishing. He's always wanting to get better.

“I'm not surprised by how well he has done. When I first saw him, I could see he had the attributes to be successful at this level and probably above. I'm not surprised and it's great to see him doing well and making a step up, which is something I did early in my career. There are things I can help him with, and long may it continue for him.”