PROGRESS IS THE KEY FOR GUTTED WILD

FRUSTRATED Barrow boss Pete Wild urged players and fans to focus on the positives after they narrowly missed out on a place in the League Two play-offs.

- Stephen Lane

Despite admitting he was “gutted” at not getting the result they needed against an already-promoted Mansfield side, he knows the club’s bigger picture is one of progress.

Wild was named March manager of the month after the Cumbrians took 16 points from a possible 18, however, they only picked up two draws in seven games throughout April – missing out on a top-seven place by just one point.

Kian Spence cancelled out a 16th-minute opener from George Maris in the second half to give Barrow hope of the victory they needed.

Instead, they couldn’t find a winner as the Stags suffered a minor disappointment of their own with Wrexham’s win over champions Stockport costing them a runners-up finish.

Barrow’s eighth-placed finish is a one position better off than last season, but they will know they squandered a golden opportunity to earn a season extension.