PAUL Crarey believes staying in the Betfred Championship will represent a significant achievement for Barrow Raiders after a tumultuous season both on and off the field.

Head coach Crarey has had to contend with key players like Lewis Charnock, Luke Cresswell, and - more recently - Shane Toal and Joe Bullock being sidelined by long-term injuries, not to mention others being ruled out for several weeks at various points.

There have been financial problems and boardroom upheaval behind the scenes as well, and Crarey is in no doubt overcoming all of that to stay up will be just as big as winning promotion from League One last year.

“It's massive for this club that we stay in the Championship and if we do, I think it will be one of our biggest achievements because of all the stuff that has gone on off the field this year at this club,” said Crarey

“These players have stuck to it, they haven't thrown the towel in and they could have gone to other clubs when the announcement was made over the fear they wouldn't get paid.

“But we're here at the end and to be seven points clear with six games to go is a tremendous achievement for them.

“These kids have done it tough and we've got the rewards for doing it tough, and I can't praise them enough for their attitude in everything that has gone on this year.”

Having beaten bottom-of-the-table Rochdale Hornets 17-10 at home last Sunday, Crarey is targeting one more win which he sees as being enough to confirm Barrow's place in the division for next year.

The home games against Batley Bulldogs and the other side in the bottom two, Swinton Lions, would appear on paper to be the Raiders' best chance of securing those crucial two points.

Barrow still have a chance of earning a place in the Championship Shield semi-finals as well though and tomorrow sees them head to one of the teams expected to be playing in the post-season knock-out competition in Leigh Centurions.

However, Crarey is not looking beyond achieving the target of survival just yet.

“I'd like to see us get one more win to be safe,” said Crarey. “We've got Swinton at home and Batley, who put in a good account of themselves at Featherstone.

“Looking at Leigh and Fev, it's got to be right for them in their mindset because they're probably in the Championship Shield semi-finals already because they're that far ahead of everybody else in terms of money spent and results.

“For us, it's about finishing the job off and making sure we're safe.”