Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt admitted his side were fortunate to claim the three points against Aldershot Town after John Rooney’s stoppage time penalty gave them a 2-1 victory at Holker Street.

The Shots, who are battling against relegation from the National League, belied their lowly position and were the better side for the majority of the second half.

The Bluebirds, by Evatt’s own admission, produced a lacklustre display and had already missed from the spot once through Josh Kay, meaning the prevailing feeling when Rooney’s 96th-minute effort went in was one of relief.

This was in stark contrast to Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat against Leyton Orient, where AFC produced a much better performance so, for a change this season, this was them ‘winning ugly.’

Evatt said: “I didn’t think we deserved it, we were terrible at times today. We looked flat, we looked off the pace and it was chalk and cheese from Tuesday night, really.

“But it’s not a bad habit to win ugly – it’s probably the first time we’ve actually done that.

“I feel for Gary [Waddock] and his team. I thought they deserved more from the game today.

“We weren’t quite at the races, weren’t our normal selves, with the wind and the pitch was very heavy, but that’s no excuse.

"We just weren’t at the races, but it’s not a bad thing because there have been many times this season where we’ve played very well and lost so to win ugly for a change is pleasantly refreshing.”

It was also a much better outcome for Rooney who, six months ago, lined up a penalty at a similar time in the match against Solihull Moors, only to blaze over the bar in an agonising 2-1 defeat.

Evatt said: “The pressure didn’t show, and he took it well. I’m pleased for John, it was a good goal and a good penalty in a key moment of the game, so credit to him for stepping up and scoring.”