Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt believes everyone else is now starting to see what he has always said about his team’s ability, after they rose to the top of the National League last weekend.

The Bluebirds’ form has been impressive for over two months, but their performance levels reached new heights during their 3-0 demolition of Notts County, which was their tenth league win in 11 games.

Moving ahead of Bromley on goal difference, as a result of them dropping points at home to Harrogate, has not surprisingly raised belief amongst the club’s supporters that a return to the Football League after 48 years away is a genuine possibility.

Evatt still feels his players are not getting the credit they deserve from the wider footballing world, but it’s now surely impossible for them to still fly under the radar after making such a statement at Meadow Lane.

Evatt said: “It’s pleasing because it shows that I know what I’m doing.

“I always had firm belief in my players and they’re playing with that belief and confidence and, outside of Barrow, we probably don’t get the credit we deserve.

“Teams write us off, media don’t speak about us, but I’m delighted with that. Just keep doing that, keep writing us off, don’t speak about us, keep us flying under the radar because we’ll keep going about our business the way we are.

“We’ll keep working hard, we’ll keep our feet firmly on the ground, do the basics well, set a great culture at the training ground, keep progressing, keep learning and hopefully, come the end of the season, we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

With under-16s being allowed in for free again for AFC’s home game against Barnet on Saturday, there is likely to be another healthy crowd at Holker Street to watch Evatt’s promotion chasers.

The 471-strong travelling contingent was another sign of the closer relationship the club now enjoys with its supporters and it is hoped over 2,000 will be through the gates this weekend.

Evatt said: “When I first interviewed for this job, it was explained by the board of directors, and Andrew Casson, about the distance between the supporters and the football club.

“The gap was too big, there was no connection, there was no pride and that was my biggest aim; to get everybody together, get everyone pushing in the same direction and get the people of Barrow proud in their team again.

“We want them to come and support us like they did on Saturday and, at the minute, that’s happening. It’s mission accomplished with that, but I believe we can get ourselves to the Football League.

“We are on the way to doing that, but there’s a long way to go. We need to keep focused, keep everyone driving forward and keep the fans backing us and coming to Holker Street.”