Foley defends Barrow players as relegation looms

Sam Foley has been unable to stop Barrow's slump down the league table [Getty Images] Player-head coach Sam Foley has defended Barrow's players after Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Cambridge United all but confirmed the club's relegation to the National League. The Bluebirds are bottom of League Two, having endured a miserable season. They could finish level on points with Harrogate and Crawley directly above them if both lose their final matches of the campaign and Barrow beat 21st-placed Newport.

But Barrow's significantly inferior goal difference means their six-year stay in the English Football League is almost certainly over. Interim boss Foley said: "Mathematically, we're not technically relegated, but it's going to be a big ask. "We've still got to be professional and get ourselves ready for the last game.

" Cambridge United 3-0 Barrow Boss Maamria leaves Barrow after 28 days Angry Barrow fans made their frustration clear after the loss at Cambridge. But Foley insists the players have given their all since he was placed in charge in March following the sacking of Dino Maamria, who was shown the door after just 28 days in the role. Midfielder Foley, 39, has made 138 appearances for Barrow, with seven of them coming this season.

"The players, since I've come in to do this, have done everything I've asked," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. "They wanted it. They've shown they're more than capable at times.