AS HE climbed up a ladder and across a corrugated roof to the gantry to make his post-match address to the media after the 46-18 League One Cup win over Rochdale Mayfield, Paul Crarey must have felt almost like he was back to his day-job as a roofer.

It was these little things which highlight the difference between the National Conference League and the professional ranks and all make up the challenge of taking on an amateur side on their own turf, along with the sloping pitch and vociferous home support who packed the touchlines.

What it underlines is why Raiders head coach Crarey was so keen to emphasise the importance of going into the tie with the right attitude in the build-up, and he was pleased to see his players did just that.

“It's very difficult to get your mindset right playing amateurs on their own ground,” said Crarey. “The facilities aren't the greatest, but we're here, we got the job done, and we can sit back and let everybody else fight it out to see who we play.

“Amateur level is a good breeding ground for professional players because it's very physical and tough, and you get away with a lot of stuff you never see in the professional game and there was a little bit of that in this game.”

In the great amateur tradition, Mayfield went out of their way to make the visitors and their supporters more than welcome both pre and post-match, but the 80 minutes on the field was hard, physical battle – especially in the second half.

Three tries from Jamie Dallimore, plus one apiece for Lewis Charnock – who kicked six conversions – Ollie Wilkes, Luke Cresswell, Shane Toal and Declan Hulme proved enough to send Barrow through though.

Mayfield produced some impressive moments of their own though, while scrum-half Zak Hartley's try after intercepting a wayward pass in his own half was frustrating for Crarey.

“We played well, in parts,” said Crarey. “I think in the second half it was going to get like it got, which was very physical. It was a really physical affair with people flying in all over the place.

“I think the referee handled it very well and we're not going to complain about anything like that, but we knew what to expect. It's a very tough place to come and I watched them against Kells the previous week, they're very physical and they've got some good players who have been in the pro ranks.

“I thought we did a job. First half, we were really good; second half, we got drawn in, but it got really physical and the 10s got short, so it doesn't allow you to play. We had to go a bit route one and play out of dummy-half and we did that well, and bombed a few chances.

“We're happy with 46 points. One try we weren't happy with was the interception and they got the 18 points, but apart from that we were very happy to be in the draw for the next round against a well-drilled amateur side.”

The Raiders and Mayfield will do it all again this Sunday when former Halifax head coach Matt Calland's side make the trip to Craven Park in the third round of the Challenge Cup.

They also have a Standard Cup tie against Oldham amateurs Saddleworth Rangers this Wednesday evening, while Crarey expects another physical encounter when his team meet the Conference Challenge Trophy holders again.

“I think a few of their boys will be bruised because when they started giving it to us, we lit the touchpaper and gave a little bit back, and upped the ante,” said Crarey. “Next week will be more of the same.

“Our lads talked on the way off about how it was really physical and they can't wait for next week. It'll be on a bigger field, the 10s are marked bigger and it gives more room to play, but we're going to be really physical; we're going to train all week to be physical and give a little back that we got.”