When the fixtures for the 2019/20 National League season came out during the summer, Notts County away is one of the fixtures Barrow AFC supporters would have marked out, but manager Ian Evatt is treating it like any other game.

The Magpies are in their first-ever season outside of the Football League, after their 131-year stay there came to an end last May, while tomorrow will be the Bluebirds’ first match at Meadow Lane since August 1970.

What not many outside of AFC would have predicted before a ball was kicked was that Evatt’s men would be heading down to Nottingham above their hosts in the table and as the form team in the division.

What Barrow will be hoping is that their two-week break from the pitch hasn’t done anything to disrupt the momentum that allowed them to win nine of their last ten league games and move within two points of leaders Bromley.

Evatt said: “Every game is the same for me, really, other than ones that hold a personal connection, like Chesterfield, which is a personal fixture for me, but other than that, I treat them all the same.

“It’s obviously great for the fans to go to a big stadium and a big Football League club, in the past, with a lovely set-up. It’s something for them to look forward to.

“But for me, it’s just another game and we’ll be going there trying to win, like we do with all of our games - we don’t go anywhere to draw.

“I think the pitch and the stadium will really suit us. Notts County try to play good football, as do we, so it will be a good match, but one that we’ll definitely be looking forward to, with no fear.”

Notts County have adapted to the National League better than most clubs who drop out of League Two, despite them having to put together a new team at short notice, due to a protracted takeover that dragged through the summer.

Neal Ardley’s side are just three points behind the Bluebirds in the table, as they look for an immediate return to the level they never felt they should have left.

Evatt said: “They’ve got some experienced players there that are earning very good money, for the National League.

“They’re a big club for this division, they probably have a big budget to go with it and high expectations to go with that.

“It’s not easy, this league, and they have adapted pretty quickly, as have Yeovil, but I can’t emphasise enough that my lot turn up and play the way they have been doing, then we’re more than a match for any team.”

One reason for Evatt’s confidence is the Bluebirds’ away form, which has seen them win five from their last six games on their travels, while they have led at half-time in all but one of their away matches this season.

Evatt holds their consummate performance at Bromley last month as an example of what his team are capable of on the road, saying: “They struggled to get a kick against us and it shows you how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

“It also shows how good and confident we are at the moment and we have to make hay while the sun shines.

“We’re playing really well - we have got injuries, but we’ve got a squad of players who can adapt and overcome. These players know how we play and hopefully they can come in and do the job.”