Striker Scott Quigley has been taken aback by the togetherness at Barrow AFC, which he is adamant has been different from the other clubs he's been at.

Bluebirds manager Ian Evatt spoke after the 3-0 win at Notts County about how the gap between the club and supporters that existed when he took charge in the summer of last year has been bridged.

That is down to a number of factors - the change of ownership that included the Bluebirds Trust purchasing a ten per cent stake and the way the new board have engaged with the fans more among them.

However, the team's performance on the pitch has also contributed massively, with 471 travelling supporters making the 184-mile trip to Meadow Lane to witness AFC go top of the National League last Saturday.

Quigley said: "It's all sort of come together and everyone understands each other now because we are a very close-knit group off the pitch - I don't everyone realises how close everyone is.

"We're like a big family, really, and I've never really experienced that sort of closeness. I have to add that it's nice to hear from the fans because I've never ever been at a club where they've said 'thank you.'

"A couple of times where I've been brought off and I've walked down the other side at Holker Street and stuff like that, they've said 'thank you' instead of 'well done,' which has made me take note and appreciate the fans. Something like that is really nice to hear."

The former New Saints and Blackpool front man has made himself a popular figure thanks to his goalscoring efforts - he already has 12 goals with more than half the season still to play.

With strike partner Dior Angus now banging them in as well, after a difficult start to the campaign, Quigley is one half of one of the most potent pairings in the division.

"I think people will have seen that I've been scoring myself and maybe they thought that they should spend an extra bit of attention marking myself, but that has obviously opened things up for Dior and that has worked well," Quigley said.

"I love working with Dior because he gives me so much energy and he's very similar to me, I would say.

"Maybe people wouldn't agree with me, but he is actually quite similar to me, as in he wants to do the nasty stuff as well, but he can play the pretty stuff, like he's shown in the last few games.

"That's why the gaffer kept him in - he wasn't scoring at the start of the season, but the gaffer has seen that he was doing the right things, making the right runs.

"He wasn't letting himself get down and he was believing in himself that his form would turn, and obviously it has, so happy days for him."