Delighted Rob Kelly believes Barrow’s final day 1-1 draw at Exeter City perfectly summed up their commitment levels for the season.

The Bluebirds trailed when Matt Jay fired home his 20th of the campaign after 25 minutes.

Joel Dixon made two key saves at the start of the second half, before Tom Beadling levelled the game on 56 minutes. Barrow came close to taking the win with Ollie Banks and Luke James going close in stoppage time.

And Kelly hailed that display and the players for once again giving it their all.

“We showed great character today,” he said. “We have taken 50 years to get here so we will not take things for granted whether it is the first game or the last game. That is what I reminded the players of. They have given commitment every day. We could have come up with plenty of excuses today.

“We were locked out of the hotel at 7.30am this morning and stood in the car park for 90 mins. There are bigger things going on in the world, but we will always give it our all.

“Things happen, you get on with it and we did that today. It was a committed and good performance against a good team. It has been a different season than most with everything that has gone on.

“It has been intense and a better standard where you get punished. I thought regardless of the result today we wanted a committed performance to see the season off.

“That 90 mins summed up the time the players have been with me. We have done well against top teams and we need to find a level of sustained consistency now.

“A lot of our players have not played at this level and playing so many games in short spaces of time was hard.

“I always felt we would stay up but knew it would go down to the wire.”

Kelly, who was appointed as caretaker boss following the sacking of Michael Jolly in February following David Dunn's dismissal in December, also refused to be drawn on his future next season.

He added: “We need time to look back and reflect now and sew where we can move things forward. I have enjoyed the football and working with the lads. Whatever happens we want to see Barrow kick on for next season.

“Whatever happens going forward, the club has to move forward. I think the club will do the right thing whichever way that is. I’ve not even had time to think about it, and I haven’t, with all my efforts and thoughts being on getting enough points to stay in the league.

“I need to focus on what I am doing and not multi-task. You have to focus on your job and not rush. There is plenty of time to discuss the manager situation. There are good people at this club and whatever they decide will be for the benefit of Barrow.

“It is not about one individual and it will unfold in whatever way it unfolds.”