Barrow AFC head into tonight’s game against Oldham Athletic searching for their first win in five games after four consecutive defeats.

Injuries to Tom Beadling, Mike Jones and Matt Plant mean they are all expected to miss this evening’s 7pm kick-off.

A draw at Boundary Park could put Barrow outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, provided that Southend United lose to Forest Green Rovers.

Oldham, who are sat 17th, drew 2-2 to promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers last time out.

Harry Kewell’s side were reduced to 10 men on Saturday after Sido Jombati picked up two yellow cards just after the half-time restart.

However, after going 2-1 down four minutes after Jombati’s dismissal, the Latics battled back and left Prenton Park with a point thanks to a Dylan Bahamboula wonder goal in the 78th minute.

It was Bahamboula’s fourth goal in his last six games and Kewell has now challenged the 25-year-old striker to continue his rich vein of form.

Kewell said: “There’s no point doing it for 30 minutes here or there; to be a top footballer you’ve got to release it every single game.

"That’s something we’ve been asking for.

"He’s been producing it in training and this is what we expect. He’s capable of dragging players, turning players, getting shots off. I’m glad he did it against Tranmere, hopefully it gives him confidence to go out there and produce it again. Sometimes some players they just relax into it and you’ve got to dig a little bit deeper and find out exactly how to get them up there.”

As another manager has now left Holker Street with Michael Jolley’s departure on Sunday, a familiar face will be leading the side tonight in Rob Kelly, back in temporary charge of The Bluebirds.

Kelly was named caretaker manager for the second time this season and the 56-year-old will remain in his interim post until the end of the campaign.

Chairman Paul Hornby explained Kelly’s ‘successful’ temporary spell as Barrow boss last December was a key factor in the club hierarchy’s decision to reappoint the former Fortuna Dusseldorf coach.

During his three-game tenure, Barrow recorded 40 per cent of all their League Two wins this season, with Kelly guiding the side to a convincing 3-0 win against Cheltenham Town followed by a 2-0 Boxing Day away win at Port Vale.

With 19 games of the season remaining, the club and fans alike will be hoping that Kelly can pick up where he left off and secure Barrow’s League Two status for another season by collecting more positive results.