Bluebirds boss Ian Evatt says supporters need to focus on 'the bigger picture' after the weekend's three-nil FA Trophy loss.

The Barrow AFC manager said an awareness of the league position and the tiredness of his star players was the reason for leaving several of them at home n Saturday.

“They were tired, that’s the reason why I left them out," said Evatt.

"Scott (Quigley) and John (Rooney) have scored nearly forty goals between them, have played nearly every game and they needed a rest.

"Sam (Hird) will be back for next Saturday, he needed a rest, Brad Barry needed a rest and Josh Kay and Dior Angus needed a rest too.

"In terms of the plan going forward, we got out of the Barnet game what we wanted, we didn’t get any injuries or any suspensions, we didn’t have extra time and we got rest into some of the players.

"We didn’t get the result we wanted, but there is a bigger picture here and I think we all know what it is.”

Despite a much changed side from the previous league game, the Bluebirds looked in control for large spells of the game before three quick-fire goals for the home side secured their passage through to the quarter finals.

Whilst disappointed with the result, Evatt was quick to point out the bigger picture for his side and the football club.

“I never like getting beat, I never enjoy it regardless of the situation, the competition or the team selected, I wanted to win today there is no doubt about it.

"For sixty minutes we controlled the game and should have been ahead, but for the final thirty minutes we didn’t control it. However, there are bigger fish to fry with thirteen league games to go and we will be back here in a couple of weeks with a different team and a different look, we will see what happens there.”

With a seven point lead at the top of the National League, all eyes will be on the Bluebirds in the coming weeks, something which doesn’t faze the Barrow manager.

“People are going to say ‘oh have the wheels come off’ but we should have beat Dover by six the other day and I’ve made seven changes today. So everyone can doubt us all they want, but I know my lads will show up at Holker Street on Saturday, play to the best levels we can and get the result we want.

"For a reality check, we are seven points clear, with our goal difference that is three games other teams have to catch up on us. So, we’re in an unbelievable position, we can’t get frustrated about losing today and losing against Dover, I expect a good week on the training ground and then we will be fully prepared for Dagenham and to kick on for the rest of the season.”