Striker Dior Angus is relishing the idea of Barrow AFC now being the hunted rather than a hunter, with them now having to defend their position at the top of the National League.

The Bluebirds gave the clearest sign yet that they are ready to mount a concerted promotion push this season when they put Notts County to the sword on their own patch, winning 3-0 at Meadow Lane last Saturday.

With the three teams above them at the start of the day - Bromley, Yeovil and Halifax - all dropping points, Ian Evatt’s side are now top on goal difference, with their game in hand against Dover still to come.

After reaching the summit, the first opportunity to stay there comes on Saturday when they welcome Barnet to Holker Street and Angus is saying ‘bring it on’ when it comes to the added pressure leading the rest brings.

He said: “It’s nice to be there and it’s a great feeling that everyone is playing catch-up with us, especially with the game in hand.

“To be fair, Notts County are probably one of the best teams we’ve faced, as were Torquay, and I know we got beat against Torquay but without the red card we felt confident we could have beaten them.

“I think we’ve got nothing to fear - we’ve just got to keep at it now. It’s a nice feeling being top and everyone is now waiting for us to slip up.

“But with the way we are and the way we play, I can’t see it. There are going to be games where we get beat, of course there are, but with the way we’ve been playing I think teams will really fear facing us, and that’s a nice position to be in.”

The majority of Notts County fans seemed genuinely shocked with the way their side were dismantled, despite the fact AFC made the journey to Nottingham as the form team in the division.

It speaks volumes as to how well the visitors played that the only complaint was that they didn’t win by an even bigger margin, with Angus having chances to add to his tenth-minute opener.

Angus said: “I think teams are aware we’re a good side, but when they play us they really realise that. You read comments, especially after the Bromley game when a few of their boys said we were the best team they played.

“It’s a nice compliment and we can’t ‘disappoint’ these teams when they’re expecting a lot from us.

“I had some good chances myself to score more goals last Saturday and their ‘keeper has made a good save from Quigs [Scott Quigley].

“We just look like a good team who are solid at the back, are good in midfield and have got goals in them.”