PAUL Cox went through a bittersweet afternoon at Cressing Road as his Barrow AFC side claimed victory but saw their play-off bid ended.

AFC scored two second-half goals – through Byron Harrison and Akil Wright – but were denied a top-five finish as rivals Aldershot also triumphed, 3-0 at North Ferriby United.

Cox vowed to go that step further next season and claim promotion back to the Football League.

“We’re disappointed, but we knew it was really out of our hands,” he said. “I am still pleased with the way we played today and felt we deserved the win and three points, particularly with our second-half display.

“On reflection, it was perhaps a step too far this season, but little by little we are building strong foundations for the future and I believe that next season we will be even stronger and more determined to succeed with promotion.

“This is a really tough league, as everyone knows, and nobody has a divine right to stay in it. You have to work really hard, week-in, week-out, to keep doing well and make progress.

“When I came to the club 18 months ago, we were so close to relegation so I know what it now feels for Braintree in this position, but we have gradually worked harder and built from a good basis and I am sure we will achieve our aim of promotion next season.

“It’s also ensuring the players retain their mentality and commitment in every game, because it’s so important for them to keep on their toes, keep their concentration and I have been pleased with these aspects over this season.”

Cox’s counterpart, Iron manager Hakan Heyrettin, knows that mathematically his side can still stay up if they win handsomely at Aldershot next week and other results go their way.

He said: “It’s a tall order but I will keep doing my job to the best of my ability and I striving to stay positive – there are no excuses over today‘s defeat because we didn’t work hard enough as a team to get something from it and again basic mistakes cost us dearly.

“I admit it’s been hard work to try and motivate the players in recent week and our results have been really disappointing.

“It’s not been helped by the negativity off the field around the club for the past three months or so when transparency and togetherness is needed.

“But we fight again in this last games and will work hard to avoid relegation. It’s very difficult as part-timers at this club to compete on equal terms with teams like Barrow who are full-time.”