Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt felt his side had enough chances to win on a night where their 18-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by a 2-1 defeat at play-off chasers Dover Athletic.

The Bluebirds had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the National League to ten points at the Crabble Athletic Ground and they were scenting victory after John Rooney’s 81st-minute penalty had brought them level.

The visitors had let several clear chances pass them by before this, as they dominated the second half, and they were ultimately made to pay as Michael Woods scored a late winner for the Whites.

It was their first defeat in any competition since Torquay away on October 26 and to add to the theme of things not going to plan, Barrow’s players and staff made the journey back from Kent in the supporters’ coach after their team bus broke down.

Evatt said: “I’m disappointed [to have lost], but there’s loads to be positive about. We had enough chances today to win five or six games, it’s as simple as that, especially in the second half.

“We created numerous chances and we just didn’t take them.

“Scott Quigley has won us so many games, so he’s earned the right to miss one or two, but it’s not about him or Rooney. Other people have got to chip in as well.

“It just didn’t quite happen for us tonight, but we deserved a lot more than what we got out of the game.”

When Rooney equalised with his 20th goal of the season - a stunning achievement for the midfielder with so much of the season still remaining - you would have got short odds on the Bluebirds going on to win the game.

A repeat of the turnaround against Torquay last Saturday certainly looked on the cards, especially as Dover seemed to be flagging in face of the pressure AFC were putting them under.

Evatt said: “The frustrating thing is we got ourselves back in it and we obviously had a lot of forwards on the pitch, five of them, and at the end we had to recognise a bit better what we’re getting joy from.

“It just wasn’t our day, but there’s loads to be positive about - we’re on the same games as everyone else now and we’re seven points clear.”