Nick Rogan returned from injury in the Cambridge defeat

Barrow striker Nick Rogan is confident that they will bounce back from their 2-1 reverse at Cambridge United.

The Bluebirds' first defeat since 26 January saw them slip off the top of the Blue Square Premier but Rogan believes there were positives to take.

"To lose 2-1 away at a side like Cambridge isn't too bad," Rogan told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"We're still disappointed. We were missing a couple of players and maybe that might have made a difference."

The Bluebirds were unable to maintain their 100% start to the new season in a game that saw defender Mike Pearson sent off late on for a second bookable offence.

"I think he was unlucky," said Rogan. "His second card was just a block tackle really and maybe the player made it look worse than it actually was.

I can still feel the injury and probably need some more work on it because I need to get rid of it Barrow striker Nick Rogan

"The referee (Amy Rayner) came over and asked him for his name and number so I don't think she realised he'd already been booked."

Rogan, 24, also defended goalkeeper Tim Deasy following the fumble that led to Wayne Hatswell's 40th-minute winner.

"Tim is furious with himself because he's not the kind of player to make those mistakes," said Rogan. "He made some fantastic saves in the second-half. He's a big lad and I'm sure he'll bounce back,

"He's very important to us and it's important that he gets his confidence back."

Rogan, who also had spells with Morecambe and Lancaster City, finished as Barrow's top scorer last season with 21 goals. And it was his first appearance of the new season at the Abbey Stadium on his return from a groin injury.

"I feel OK but I'm not 100% yet," said Rogan. "I want to be firing on all cylinders for the whole season so I don't want to jeopardise that by doing too much too soon.

"I can still feel the injury and probably need some more work on it because I need to get rid of it."