PAUL Crarey put the blame on a lack of game management in the opening part of the second half at Barrow Raiders fell to a 33-26 defeat at home to Swinton Lions yesterday.

The Raiders led 18-12 at half time, but let that slip and although they got back on level terms a late rally sealed Swinton's first Betfred Championship win of the season.

Barrow head coach Crarey was encouraged with how his players had performed playing into the wind in the first half, but was frustrated to see they could not carry that on after the break.

"I thought we managed the game really well in the first half," said Crarey.

"We were always going to be under pressure because of the wind, but we defended well, managed the game well, kicked well, completed sets well and went in 18-12 up at half time.

"I spoke to them at half time about managing the game, no 20-metre restarts, finishing our sets and loads of structure - and we did the exact opposite to what we said.

"They scored, gained a bit of momentum and then it was toe-to-toe, but we let in a few soft tries at the end."

The Raiders coach was pleased to see brothers Dan and Shane Toal return to action after spells out injured, although they still have problems elsewhere.

Jarrad Stack played with a torn rib cartilage and try-scorer Jordan Walne went off with a hamstring injury.

"We lost Jordan Walne with a hamstring problem, so there's all that," said Crarey. "We're changing big numbers every week in our team and it's very hard to get any consistency going.

"But that's where we are at the moment and we're not going to throw the towel in as a group."