PAUL Crarey has accused his Barrow Raiders side of not playing as a team after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of North Wales Crusaders.

Barrow were beaten by 23 points to 10 at the Stadiwm Zip World on Sunday, which could have a huge impact on their League 1 title hopes.

Head coach Crarey left Colwyn Bay feeling disappointed with his team and has now called on them to recover their early season form.

He said: "I thought we were poor across the board today. We didn’t control the ball. We couldn’t set up shape and didn’t have enough of the ball in the second half.

"It was just in the balance with ten minutes to go and they just had a mountain of possession.

"They deserved the win. They were good, played really simple and completed their sets.

"We probably tried individually to win the game, rather than what we’ve been doing in the past few weeks when we have played as a team.

"The effort was there, but it was all channelled as individuals, not as a team and we are at our best when we play as a team collectively and win the physical and mental battle.

"We got ourselves back into the game just before half time and went in 10-8, but in the second half probably beat ourselves."

Barrow had initially gone 8-0 down to Crusaders, but tries from Mark Tyson and then Callum Bustin kickstarted a Raiders comeback, and went into the break ahead, 10-8.

Seven minutes into the second half and winger Tee Ritson went over to secure another try for the visitors, but it was chalked off due to a dubious forward pass - Crarey says.

This was Raiders' second disallowed try after Tyson also had one cancelled for another forward pass according to the referee.

But despite this, Crarey has given Crusaders full credit for their win and a fifth victory in as many games.

After Workington's 38-22 win over West Wales Raiders on Saturday, Crarey has conceded that the Derwent Park club are now in the driving seat for the title.

He said: "We have got more points, but they have got a better points percentage.

"We are chasing them now - we need to win at Doncaster.

"We have got to knuckle down and try and win these last four games.

"Maybe Workington will mess up, maybe they won’t."

Town now have a superior points per game percentage at 86.36, compared to Barrow's 80.77.

Barrow's next game against Doncaster will take place at the Keepmoat Stadium next Sunday, August 22.