Barrow AFC Manager Ian Evatt has backed club captain Josh Granite to still play a big part in the season, after he was left out of last Saturday’s victory against Yeovil Town.

Granite being left on the bench against the Glovers was one of four changes made by the Bluebirds from the previous Tuesday’s frustrating defeat at Stockport County, as Evatt went back to playing four at the back.

Taking his place in defence was midfielder Jason Taylor, who gave a very assured performance in his unfamiliar role alongside Sam Hird as AFC kept a clean sheet and restricted the visitors to very few chances.

Evatt said: “Unfortunately for Josh, he got left out, but it could have been anybody.

“I had a look at Yeovil, we watched three of their games and came up with a plan to beat them. We have to pick horses for courses in this division, as every game is different.

“Josh will come back and be a huge player for us. He’s a fantastic captain, I think the world of the guy and he was obviously disappointed today but he will come back bigger and stronger.”

Evatt was pleased with the way his players picked themselves up from what had been a mostly disappointing first four games of the campaign and with the composure they showed in holding on to their lead in the closing stages.

Evatt said: “Football is a roller-coaster. You can’t get too high with the highs or get too low with the lows, you have to maintain some sort of stability.

“That’s difficult sometimes when everyone around you is getting nervy and the chairman we even nervy - I was looking at him and he’s biting his nails. I don’t think he’s got any fingers left after Saturday.

“We all need to relax because it’s a long season and no trophies or play-off positions are handed out in August. We just have to keep ourselves on the straight and narrow and keep working hard on the training pitch.”