Defender Sam Hird is hoping Barrow AFC can at some point pair up their usual creative nature with the defensive solidity they've shown in their last two home games.

So far this season, those two things have been mutually exclusive with the Bluebirds having to reign back their attacking instincts a little in keeping clean sheets to defeat Eastleigh and Yeovil Town.

However, when they have tried to play more expansively, it has led to them leaving the back door open and giving away points against Harrogate Town and Stockport County.

AFC head to Hird's old club Chesterfield tomorrow looking to make it back-to-back victories in the National League for the first time this season, but they'll know they can't afford the same defensive fragility they've shown in their previous two away games. 

Hird said: "Because of the way we like to play, we are open and expansive and we're not the type of team to bank up or sit deep, or anything like that.

"If we were that type of team, we probably wouldn't have conceded the type of goals that we have.

"We are a free-flowing, expansive team, but we've got to find a way of being that without being too open and putting ourselves under pressure by conceding silly goals. It's about finding that balance."

Hird will be heading back to a venue he knows very well tomorrow, as he made 233 appearances in six appearances for the Spireites, many of those playing alongside manager Ian Evatt.

Like his boss, Hird is now only focused on picking up a result for his current team, despite the amount of affection he holds for the club from the Proact Stadium.

"I'm looking forward to it, obviously," Hird said, adding: "I was there for a long time, as was the manager and a couple of other lads that we've got here.

"It will be nice to see some old faces, but first and foremost I'm looking forward to getting three points for Barrow."

Hird admits he is surprised by Chesterfield's poor start to the season, but he believes the Bluebirds can play on home nerves on and off the pitch by making a good start to the game.

He said: "John Sheridan went in there last year and obviously did very well and I think everyone expected them to probably have a better start than what they've had.

"He's an experienced manager, he's got experienced players and they won't be panicking, as it's a long season.

"With the start that they have had, they'll be expected to come at us at home and the longer the game goes, if they don't take the lead there probably will be a few nerves around the place, but it's our job to capitalise on that because no team in any league is going to give you anything."