Barrow continue their push for automatic promotion on Monday when they take a trip to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium to square off against Morecambe.
Having suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in October's reverse fixture, the Shrimps will head into the game looking to get one over the visitors and move into the promotion playoff places.
Match preview
© Reuters
Morecambe picked up three huge points in their quest for a playoff spot as they held firm to see out a 2-1 victory over Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium on Friday.
Following an uneventful first half, Nelson Khumbeni and veteran defender Christopher Stokes netted in a seven-minute spell to set the visitors on their way before Lewis Shipley pulled one back for Accrington in the 89th minute.
This was a much-needed respite for Gerard Brannan's men, who had lost each of their previous four matches — conceding 14 goals and scoring seven in that time — a run which has put their playoff dreams up in the air.
Morecambe have now picked up 16 wins from their 40 League Two matches while losing 15 and claiming nine draws to collect 57 points and sit 10th in the table, three points off seventh-placed Gillingham in the final playoff spot.
Barrow, on the other hand, continued their late charge for automatic promotion last time out when they secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Grimsby Town at the Holker Street Stadium.
A first-half masterclass from in-form striker Cole Stockton put the hosts in a two-goal lead heading into the break and after Robbie Gotts put the result beyond reach in the 82nd minute, Justin Obikwu grabbed a late consolation for Grimsby.
The Bluebirds have now gone six consecutive games without defeat, picking up four wins and two draws since losing three back-to-back games against AFC Wimbledon, Forest Green Rovers and Salford City respectively.
This upturn in form has been owing to the solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch, where Barrow have kept four clean sheets and conceded just twice in their last six matches, having managed four clean sheets in 15 matches preceding this run.
With seven games left to go, Pete Wild's men currently sit fifth in the League Two table with 67 points from 39 matches, six points adrift of third-placed Wrexham in the final automatic promotion spot, albeit with one game in hand.
Team News
© Reuters
Morecambe will be without several players down the spine of the team as the likes of Brandon Barker and Farrend Rawson continue their spells on the sidelines.
First-choice goalkeeper Stuart Moore has been out of action since coming off with a severe injury against Sutton United on October 21 and is also out of contention for the Shrimps.
Former Manchester United man Donald Love picked up an injury in November's game against Lincoln City and the Scottish defender will also play no part in Monday's game.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old midfielder Luca Stephenson missed the game against Grimsby Town at the weekend through injury and is a doubt for Monday's game.
Barrow will also have to cope without Irish defender Niall Canavan who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after coming off injured against Gillingham on March 3.
With his brace against Grimsby, Stockton now has seven goals in 12 matches since his January loan move from Burton Albion and we expect the 30-year-old to spearhead the Bluebirds' attack once again.
Morecambe possible starting lineup:
Mair; Tutondo, Bedeau, Songo'o, Senior; Taylor; Slew, Khumbeni, Edwards, Brown; Garner
Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Ray, Chester, Feely; Warren, Spence, Campbell, Gotts, Whitefield; Telford, Stockton
We say: Morecambe 1-2 Barrow
Buoyed by their win over Accrington, Morecambe will head into Monday's game with renewed confidence as they look to return into the playoff places. However, Barrow have hit their stride at the business end of the season and we see them coming away with a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
