PAUL Crarey hailed the commitment of his players throughout the campaign as Barrow Raiders clinched promotion back to the Kingstone Press Championship with victory in the play-off final.

Two tries from Shane Toal, plus a penalty from Jamie Dallimore, helped secure a 10-6 win for the Raiders over Whitehaven in a typically hard-fought Cumbrian derby at Craven Park.

But Barrow head coach Crarey was quick to praise the entire squad for their contributions in getting the club to this point after a League One season which threw up plenty of challenges to test their resolve.

"This group of players had five friendlies before the start of the season, got to the last 16 of the Challenge Cup, won the League One Cup final, and on the back of going to Toronto and Whitehaven twice, got promoted," said Crarey.

"We've probably used 28 players, which is just unbelievable for the commitment from them and the belief in what we're doing, so I just can't praise them highly enough."

Whitehaven pushed the Raiders all the way in the play-off final and had taken the lead with a converted try from Dion Aiye early in the second half, as well as having 60 per cent possession according to Barrow's own statistics.

Crarey admitted to some relief at at the final hooter, but was in no doubt it was a deserved win for his team.

"We're probably relieved, more than anything, and glad to get the win at home," said Crarey. "We worked so hard to get it at this venue and I reckon if it had been up there on a boggy pitch, we might have come undone.

"Credit to (Whitehaven player-coach) Carl Forster and his men because they were magnificent. They came to play; after last week's epic battle (against York) they had another one and I thought they were going to steal it.

"But I think we had a little bit more football in us, and the tries we scored we magnificent. We've been doing that all year and that's probably what gets us over the line in certain games."

The club can now start planning for life back in rugby league's second tier, although Crarey will attend the EGM called by chairman David Sharpe this Wednesday to see what the future holds.

"Regarding myself, it's up to the club whether they want a full-time coach to coach in the Championship," said Crarey.

"It's been a massive drain on my family and my business, and what the fans have got to realise is we'll be well short of what other teams are spending in the Championship, so to survive will be a massive, massive achievement.

"We've got to be prepared for that, ride with it and enjoy the journey, whichever way it goes."