Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard has become used to defying the odds during his four years in charge at Meadow Park and he is now threatening a repeat of his most notable achievement so far.

Two years ago, the Wood went on an unlikely run to the National League Promotion Final, where they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers despite having a man advantage for virtually the whole game at Wembley.

There’s usually a hangover from such disappointments - just ask AFC Fylde this season - but Garrard also had a rebuilding job on his hands after losing key attackers Bruno Andrade, Morgan Ferrier and Angelo Balanta.

With their forward line blunted, Boreham Wood found last season something of a struggle, finishing just outside the relegation zone, even though their safety was assured several games out.

Given Garrard’s accomplishments at Meadow Park, his side were expected to fare better this time around, but they are once again surpassing pre-season predictions and welcome Barrow AFC to Hertfordshire sitting fifth in the table.

Back when the Bluebirds defeated them 3-1 at Holker Street in October, the Wood were still a team in transition, but they have well and truly blossomed since then.

In fact, they’re currently the only team in the division whose form comes close to matching that of AFC as they are undefeated in their last 12 league games.

The most recent of these saw them turn over Solihull Moors 2-0 at Damson Park, leapfrogging their opponents in the process, thanks to goals from Sorba Thomas and Kane Smith.

Just as during their surge up the table in 2018, Boreham Wood’s success is based on a potent attack, with top scorer Kabongo Tshimanga (15 goals) being ably supported by Tyrone Marsh (12).

Barrow came so close to claiming all three points on their last visit in September 2018, when John Rooney’s opener was cancelled out by a stoppage time piledriver from Keiran Murtagh in a 1-1 draw.