Bayliss watched as his side lost 3-0 at home to Altrincham on Tuesday

Barrow joint-manager Dave Bayliss has defended his side's defensive outlook after winning a hard-earned point against Stevenage on Saturday.

The Bluebirds were beaten 3-0 by Altrincham in midweek and Bayliss admitted he will sacrifice attractive football in order to get results.

"When we're not going to win games we have to make sure we don't get beaten," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"I'd rather scrap and play ugly and get something out of the game."

The 4-5-1 formation adopted by Bayliss and joint-boss Darren Sheridan against Stevenage was not popularly received by supporters, who felt that a second striker should have been included to support the lone Jason Walker.

However, Bayliss believes the formation brings the best out of his midfield quintet, and is confident that the club's wide-men can add an attacking edge.

"Paul Rutherford gets on the ball, he slows it down when he needs to, he brings players into play and he's energetic, he's probably the fittest at the club," he said.

"When we're attacking, we have three strikers with them, and with Andy Bond from midfield bombing on, it did work a few times.

"Other teams come here and shut up shop against us, and that's maybe what we have to start doing, not getting beat and building up our tally of points. Four points from the first three games isn't a bad return."

Barrow take on Mansfield on Tuesday, with build-up and full match commentary on BBC Radio Cumbria from 1900 BST.

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