Barrow head coach Andy Whing believes losing the Cumbrian Derby to Carlisle could have sparked his team’s season after watching them beat League Two promotion-chasers Notts County 2-1 at Meadow Lane.
The hosts fell behind after 10 minutes when Kian Spence converted Elliot Newby’s cross.
Sam Foley extended Barrow’s advantage in the 62nd minute when he nodded home Ben Whitfield’s centre home before – two minutes later – substitute Conor Grant’s drive reduced the deficit.
The result ended County’s six-match unbeaten run at home and saw the visitors bounce back from last week’s home defeat to their neighbours.
Whing said: “I’m delighted with the performance. I thought the lads were brilliant today against a really good footballing side.
“I’ve never thought we were far away. I just wanted to see us become a bit more resilient and that’s what we were – a little bit more aggressive.
“I thought we were outstanding for spells on the ball.
“Nobody wants to lose a game like our last one, but sometimes it takes something like that to really kickstart your season and that, hopefully, is what has happened.
“To be honest, I had a really good feeling about this one. I watched the lads over the last couple of days and saw exactly what I wanted to see.
“The game plan worked well. They executed it well and, to be honest, I thought they deserved their bit of luck at the end. I’d have been gutted for them if we’d not been able to see it out.”
County head coach Stuart Maynard hoped his side could bounce back, saying: “I’ve told the lads in there they can’t afford to dwell on this and let it get them down.
“We’re in a good position and we’ve got to bounce back straight away in our next game.
“Goals change games and we’ve created enough opportunities to win that 3-2. But we didn’t take them and fell below our usual high standards. We’ve got to accept that, take responsibility as a collective and get straight back to winning ways.
“We need to be more clinical in front of goal. One thing I love about this group, though, is that they get on with it and they care.
“Us as a group, we’ve got to do enough to win a game without elements from the outside.”
County thought they had levelled through George Abbott but his effort touched an offside Nick Tsaroulla before reaching the back of the net.
Maynard added: “To be fair, the equaliser we didn’t get, it does look to have taken a touch off Nick. So fair play to the assistant referee there, he’s got that one right.”
