Knights player-coach Paul March faces a long lay-off with a calf injury

The Knights conceded five first-half tries and lost player-coach Paul March with a torn calf as they slid to a second League Two defeat.

But March's side did keep Barrow pointless in the second half.

"A little bit of credit was earned by the players (by their second half performance)," said Ratcliffe.

"I just asked the players to have a look at themselves as regards their attitude and what they want out of the game.

"Defensively we barred up in the second-half. We showed a bit of grit and a bit of resolve and we all dug in for each other.

There is a lot of talent in that dressing-room James Ratcliffe

The Knights will now prepare for Sunday's trip to Oldham. Ratcliffe feels they will go into that match after two good halves of League Two rugby and two bad ones.

"We need to put the two halves together and we'll become quite a competitive side," he said.

Ratcliffe is resigned to losing playmaker March, who has only just returned from an injury he picked up at the start of the Northern Rail Cup campaign, for a long time.

Ratcliffe insists that he and March can turn things around and he added: "There is a lot of talent in our dressing-room. I'm a very positive person and I'm confident we will turn things around."