PAUL Cox is urging his Barrow AFC side to manage games better after they conceded a late equaliser for the second week in a row.

Byron Harrison’s finish from the penalty spot looked as if it would be enough for the Bluebirds to defeat Boreham Wood in the Vanarama National League, only for the home side to switch off and allow Morgan Ferrier to head home unmarked in the 91st minute.

Manager Cox was again left to rue the fact his side only took one point from a game he felt they deserved to win and knows they cannot afford to keep suffering such lapses.

“Once again, I think it’s that lack of concentration in the final stages – that edginess – and I don’t think anyone could argue we were totally in control of the half,” said Cox.

“The phrase ‘game management’ comes to mind and it’s something we seriously need to sort out because in the last two home games, we’ve had two sides celebrate like they’ve won the FA Cup because we’ve basically rolled over and gave them a point from a game which I don’t think Boreham Wood deserved from that second half performance.

“The thing with these boys is, if you go back to last season the same things were happening when I got here. There was a nervousness, game management was quite poor, but I’m hoping they’re going to learn a little bit quicker and they need to – it’s as simple as that.

“The positives are just one defeat in nine games and we’re looking quite strong, especially in the second half of games at the minute. But for us to go home with all the royalties, we just need to manage our game and see it out, and there is enough experience and talent on that pitch to do that.”

Cox was full of praise for Barrow scorer Harrison, who netted for the second week running and now has three goals to his name for the season so far.

The 29-year-old only moved to Holker Street just two weeks before the campaign kicked off and Cox believes that is why it has taken until recent games for the former Chesterfield forward to start showing what he can do.

“Due to him not having a pre-season, we’re only starting to see the real player now,” said Cox.

“The goals are coming from him and, more so, he’s leading the line excellently, getting us up, bringing other people into play.

“His all-round game is improving on a game-to-game basis and he’s looking a real player at this level of football.”