IT was another tough encounter against North Wales Crusaders at Craven Park.

Although Barrow didn’t have to come from behind as they did in the League One Cup final, they still had to focus for the full 80 minutes to keep Crusaders at bay and restrict them to just one score. They deserve praise for their impressive defensive display.

How the Welshmen are in the lower half of League One is a bit of a puzzle, and if they can reproduce the same form in their remaining phase one games, they may even make the play-offs.

Paul Crarey knew the Raiders had to battle and conceded it was not easy on the eye.

It was 16-4 with 10 minutes left, but Barrow had enough left in the tank to push on and score a couple more tries.

Discipline was very good, with few penalties conceded, but there were too many handling errors and the last tackle option wasn’t executed to plan, with Barrow caught in possession on five occasions.

Another disappointment was the size of the crowd.

I know it was a glorious night weather-wise and the barbecues were in full flow, but an attendance of 830 is very poor considering we won the League One Cup in front of 1,000 Raiders supporters recently, and have only suffered one defeat all season – to Toronto.

There is not much more the club can do.

The key to future sustainability is better opposition, and that means promotion to the Championship is paramount.

The Furness public have clearly demonstrated that they are not prepared to pay £15 to watch third-grade rugby, and even the die-hards are getting restless.

Today sees Barrow travel to the capital to take on London Skolars. It's never an easy game and they suffered a shock defeat in a bruising encounter last year on the tight pitch at the New River Stadium.

Skolars have a massive team and are led around the park by the experienced Jy-mel Coleman and his half-back partner Mike Bishey.

Last week, they led at half-time at Cougar Park against Keighley, but were overrun in the second half and comprehensively beaten 45-26.

On paper, we have a far superior squad, but we still need a professional performance to come away with the spoils.

After London, it's two home games against Gloucestershire and Oxford, and then the final game of phase one at Whitehaven, whom I am commentating tomorrow against Doncaster.

That should be a very close game, and it should provide a marker for our visit in three weeks.

Haven won 18-16 at York last week, while the Dons had no game, which has given new coach Richard Horne more time to work with the squad.

Last week, I was at Derwent Park for the Workington v Toronto match, which did not get off to the best start as an accident on the motorway delayed match officials and some of the Workington team.

The game was delayed until 4.30pm, and Toronto decided to go back to their hotel for relaxation and a bit of food. Unbelievably, Toronto were delayed getting back to Derwent Park and the kick-off was put back further until 5.15pm.

Toronto won 58-12, but Town played very well and ex-Raiders coach Dave Clark was immensely proud of his battle-weary players, with former Barrow Island player Perry Singleton impressive, scoring a well-deserved try.