Barrow AFC must stop conceding soft goals if they are to become more of a force in the National League, says assistant manager Peter Atherton.

The Bluebirds’ defensive frailties were there for all to see in their 3-0 defeat against Eastleigh, with Paul McCallum able to run in behind from his side’s goal kick and have an unmarked header for his two goals last Saturday.

In fact, AFC’s six-game losing streak has been pockmarked by defensive lapses that have repeatedly proven costly and stunted any momentum Ian Evatt’s side were building during games.

They’ll be hoping to tighten up in Saturday’s away game at Aldershot Town, who managed to raise their own morale by taking League One side Bradford City to a penalty shoot-out in their FA Cup replay on Tuesday.

Atherton said: “They’re all tough games, we know that because there’s not much in the league between the teams from top to bottom.

“It depends on us and what we do on the park, but as long as we keep gifting the opposition easy goals, it’s going to be a mountain for us to climb in each game.

“As soon as we’re not conceding, then we’re a force and we’re a good team, but we can’t keep conceding sloppy goals and giving the opposition something to hold on to as early as the 15th minute, as we did last weekend.

“The players have got to pick themselves up because they’re the ones out there on the grass.”