Barrow AFC manager Michael Jolley says it is crucial not to get distracted by the league table – and to simply focus on what his side can affect.

The survival race became tighter this week as rivals Southend and Stevenage both won.

It left things even more finely-poised at the wrong end of League Two, with the Bluebirds’ postponement against Exeter leaving them unable to affect their position.

They will hope to change that tomorrow when they go to high-flying Forest Green Rovers.

Jolley insists his team must only concentrate on their own business and not be sidetracked by results elsewhere.

“We could look at other teams’ results, and you get either high or low on that basis, but whatever happens with all the other teams, we have to take care of our own business,” he said.

“If we don’t get the points we need that will only be down to us.

“We know how many points we need to achieve the main objective, and when we play that’s our opportunity to do something about that.

“Anything beyond that is completely out of our hands.”

Jolley and his squad had to quickly adapt after losing Tuesday’s game, and AFC have tried to overcome further challenges posed by the freezing conditions this week.

He said: “We came up with a specific plan for the players for Wednesday, and they have all been in [on Thursday] and we’ve done as much training as we can.

“Once again the weather has got in the way of that somewhat in terms of getting on the grass, but we found an area to do some work to get ready for the game on Saturday.”

Barrow, third bottom and outside the drop zone on goal difference with two games in hand, will have a further eye on the weather ahead of their trip to Nailsworth, with sub-zero temperatures forecast in Gloucestershire tonight.

The risk of further upheaval to the campaign remains, but Jolley says being adaptable amid such an unconventional season is important.

“I can’t think of anything specific from my experience in or outside football that would relate to how things are at the moment, certainly not with the Covid situation,” he said.

“But I think it’s just important we stay calm and go step by step.

“It’s a cliché in football, one game at a time, but if a game does get cancelled we have to put a line through that day and get ready for the next game.

“Equally it’s important not to look too far ahead, because things can change quickly, even just with the schedule. Let’s go one game at a time.”