Bookies still fancy Barrow AFC to beat the drop despite the Bluebirds’ modest form and tough run-in.

Phil Brown’s side sit three points above the drop zone with seven games to play.

They take on a number of high-fliers during their remaining fixtures.

But the bookmakers are still leaning towards Oldham Athletic and Stevenage as the likeliest candidates to join rock-bottom Scunthorpe United in the National League next season.

Barrow are 4/1 for the drop with BetVictor and Bet365, and 7/2 with BetFred.

Scunthorpe, who are 13 points adrift and could even see their relegation confirmed this weekend, are 1/1,000 to go down.

The battle to avoid finishing second bottom is much tighter with Steve Evans’ Stevenage currently occupying 23rd place, but with a game in hand.

The Hertfordshire club, three points adrift of Oldham, are 10/11 for relegation with SkyBet and Paddy Power, and 11/10 with BetVictor and BetFred.

John Sheridan’s Oldham, who beat Stevenage last weekend, are Evens for the drop with most bookies.

There is a seven-point gap between fourth-bottom Barrow and 20th-placed Rochdale.

And that is also reflected in the bookmakers’ odds in what appears to be a three-horse race to finish above the second relegation place.

Rochdale’s drop odds are as long as 200/1, with 19th-placed Colchester United 100/1 and 18th-placed Carlisle United 500/1.

The Bluebirds make the long trip to Crawley Town this weekend seeking only a second win in 12 and their first points under Mark Cooper’s successor Brown, who has started lift in the Holker Street hotseat with defeats to Leyton Orient and Port Vale.

Barrow’s remaining games include clashes with leaders Forest Green Rovers, play-off chasing trio Salford City, Sutton United and Swindon Town, second-placed Exeter City and fourth-placed Northampton Town.

Rivals Oldham take on high-flying Port Vale this weekend while Stevenage face Colchester.

AFC manager Brown, speaking to the BBC, said: “You have to stand up to it.

“The deal is we’re seven games to go, we’re still out of the relegation zone, and our responsibility is to win enough games to stay out of that relegation zone and stay in League Two.

“The fans have been outstanding, and I hope they will get behind the team between now and the end of the season.”