LAST-ACTION hero Matty Platt believes the only way is up for Barrow AFC after their dramatic efforts at Cambridge.

The defender, whose injury time goal earned a draw for the Bluebirds against the high-flying U’s, says David Dunn’s side have proved they can mix it with the best in League Two.

Platt’s first competitive goal for AFC enabled Dunn’s side to claim a much-deserved point against the second-placed hosts.

It followed a positive display at the Abbey Stadium and Platt believes further progress is in reach.

“The lads in the dressing room were almost disappointed with a point,” he said.

“In the first half we played through them really well. Considering where they are in the league, to come to their ground and put on a really good display…we thoroughly deserved a point and probably three.

“We believe in the way want to play – we want to play the right way, through the lines, and we did that really well.

“We’re not far off. We just need to cut out silly mistakes, giving teams a little leg up. If we can do that, we can go on a really good run.

“Coming to second in the league and playing them off the park shows that.”

Barrow are 18th after Saturday’s draw, having improved their fortunes in recent weeks with only one defeat in six league outings. Platt missed the early weeks of the season through injury but the 23-year-old has returned to play an influential part in Dunn’s side over the last month.

He was on hand at the death at the Abbey Stadium to head home the goal which cancelled out Joe Ironside’s 56th-minute opener for Mark Bonner’s side, which came as the striker pounced on a clearance from keeper Joel Dixon. The result was a boost for Dunn’s side ahead of a hectic run of fixtures which is looming.

“They [Cambridge] were settling in, trying to see the game out, and I found myself up there from the corner – it came back out, we got a throw, I just put myself in the middle of the box and thought if it comes in, I’ll get my head on it,” defender Platt added to iFollow.

“Thankfully that’s what happened and we got the goal.

“To see it nestle in the bottom corner was a great feeling. I don’t score many – that’s my first league goal and competitive goal for Barrow.

“I didn’t really know what to do. I charged to the corner flag and did a knee slide. Moments like that, last-minute goals, are what you play football for - that feeling.

“It’s a shame it wasn’t to be for the winner, but an equaliser was just as good at that point.”