The phrase ‘champion’s performance’ is an old sporting cliché typically reserved for matches in which a top team isn’t necessarily firing on all cylinders but finds a way to get the job done.

It indicates that by ‘finding a way’ against adversity, they’ve proven their credentials to be champions.

By any definition and through anybody’s eyes, Barrow AFC’s victory on Saturday against Torquay was a true champions’ performance.

There were several factors at play. Torquay brought great energy to their play and made Barrow work. We were also hampered by our pitch, which is in the middle of a much-needed recovery programme and, short term, will probably not compliment our crisp passing.

The two weeks before our next game will see a big improvement in the playing surface, but on Saturday it had to be overcome.

Further to all of this, a bizarre call from the referee and his linesman conspired to see Barrow concede the first goal. Over to us to respond, then.

The response was typical of the belief that Ian Evatt has instilled in this team, as well as the flair and individual brilliance which so often unlock doors that other teams would never find a way through.

The technique for John Rooney’s equaliser was fantastic, keeping the ball down when others might have sent it onto the railway line.

From there, we grew in belief and the winning goal from Scott Quigley was an outrageous lob which could only have been scored by a man who knows he’s that at the top of his game.

There will be tricky days ahead for Barrow. We know we can’t win every game. We know we’re likely to lose some. But what we’re starting to see is that anybody who wants to take points from us will need to earn them.

We never roll over. We never give a game away. Instead, opponents know that Barrow will turn up and play, at worst, to about 90 per cent of our best level.

That’s what the opposition has to overcome before they can start to play their own football, and since September 3 only one team – Torquay themselves – have managed it. And they benefited from having an extra man.

Let’s just put that into context. It is five months and a day since a team beat Barrow (with 11 men) in a league game. Wherever this fantastic season leads us, these are records and sequences of which we should all be immensely proud.

* Seven points clear with a game in hand. Hands up if you saw that coming after five league defeats in August? Me neither.

But now, as we cross into February, we can start to plot a very real course toward this championship and a return to the Football League. Bear with me while we do some maths…

Our nearest rivals are Harrogate, who have 13 games remaining. Let’s be generous and say they win ten, losing the other three.

What target would that set for Barrow in our remaining games?

Well, we have 14 games left and in order to finish one point above Harrogate we would need to win eight of them. Eight wins from 14, and that’s to stay above a Harrogate in quite incredible form. Every time they slip, our own target reduces.

The old adage says that we should ignore our rivals and focus on our own game, and of course that’s quite correct.

But it would be wrong not to acknowledge just how close we are now.

There are still tough away trips to come against all of our top four rivals, but what we have now is a cushion. We have lifelines.

For Harrogate, Halifax and Yeovil there is no longer any such luxury.

* After tonight's league game away at Dover, thoughts will turn this weekend to the second leg of our potential, historic double.

On Saturday we journey to Barnet in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Make no mistake about it, Ian Evatt and the team would love to win the FA Trophy.

While a return to the Football League is our top priority, we believe that we're good enough to win both competitions.

Saturday is a chance for our fans to travel to Barnet, free of the stifling pressure of a league game, and have a good day out watching us chase history.

Presently our Trust Travel bus is undersubscribed. At the time of writing, we need another seven travellers to make the trip viable.

A decision will be made tomorrow morning, so I urge anybody interested in making this trip to book on today. You can book your place either by using our ticketor website, www.ticketor.com/bluebirdstrust, a call or text to 07444026795, or emailing info@bluebirdstrust.co.uk.

As ever, we thank all travellers on our buses for their support of both the club and the Bluebirds Trust, neither of which could thrive as we are without the ceaseless support of the fan base and the wider community.