Wrexham are hurting after a below par team display in their 3-1 Vanarama National League home defeat against Barrow.

More than 4,600 spectators were at the Racecourse, but the Dragons struggled badly to find their best form.

“We didn’t handle the conditions well if I am being honest,” says manager Bryan Hughes.

“Barrow did a job, played to the conditions and worked hard. They turned us and got into the right areas, especially in that first half.

“They got plenty of bodies into the box and we couldn’t handle it to be honest.

“Our quality on the ball wasn’t quite good enough. We were causing our own problems defensively and were punished for it.

“I put two strikers on the pitch to combat what we thought they would play and credit to them for changing their tactics as well. 

“We had to shuffle early to get a grip on the game, but some of the decision making and the things that going on during the first half weren’t acceptable at times.

“I’ve spoken about the characters we have in the dressing room and some of the qualities we have. 

“There is togetherness, desire and commitment. I didn’t feel we were like that in this game for some reason, we were far too individual at times.

“The strength of our team is that togetherness. We can’t use the conditions as an excuse, both teams had to play in them, but the fact that Barrow adapted quicker than us was disappointing.

“We don’t have time to dwell. There is another game coming up fast on Saturday.

“I have every belief in the players. They have already shown in my short spell here they can adjust.”

Wrexham were blown away in the first 45 minutes against Barrow at the Racecourse.

Barrow took an early lead when after two minutes when Dan Jones flicked a header past goalkeeper Rob Lainton and Jacob Blyth added their second (24).

It was 3-0 by half-time after Lewis Hardcastle scored just before the break.

Kieran Kennedy pulled a goal back following a Luke Young free-kick with 77 minutes gone and Wrexham looked a lot brighter at that stage, but there were still too many home errors.

It’s imperative that the Dragons come out hard when struggling Maidstone United visit the Cae Ras on Saturday.

Wrexham: Lainton, Roberts, Jennings, Kennedy, Young, Oswell (Stockton 53), McGlashan (Rutherford 53), Wright, Beavon (Holroyd 76), Tollitt, Lawlor. Subs not used: Dibble, Grant.

Barrow: Dixon, Jones, Taylor, Rooney, Blyth, Kay, Angus (Hindle 21), Hardcastle (Bartham 55, Molyneux 59), Jamieson, Jennings, Norrington-Davies. Subs not used: Saltmer, Turner.

Referee: Simon Mather (Greater Manchester)

Attendance: 4,613 (away 95)

Vanarama National League fixtures

Saturday, March 16: Aldershot Town v Salford City, Barnet v Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic v Halifax Town, Eastleigh v Barrow, Ebbsfleet United v Boreham Wood, Harrogate Town v Maidenhead United, Havant & Waterlooville v Chesterfield, Solihull Moors v Braintree Town, Sutton United v Gateshead, Wrexham v Maidstone United.

		P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Leyton Orient	37	21	10	6	+33	73
2	Solihull M	37	21	7	9	+27	70
3	Wrexham	38	20	9	9	+17	69
4	AFC Fylde	37	18	13	6	+31	67
5	Salford	37	19	9	9	+25	66