Bluebirds Without a Winn

Barrow have allowed midfielder Ashley Winn to join Blue Square North side Southport on a permanent deal.

Winn, 24, has found first-team opportunities at Holker Street limited this season following his arrival from Stalybridge Celtic in the summer.

Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss told BBC Radio Cumbria: "Ash obviously didn't want to be here. It's a shame he's gone because he's got a lot to prove.

"But we don't want to keep players at the club who don't want to be here."

Winn was part of the Stalybridge side that lost 1-0 against the Bluebirds in last season's Blue Square North play-off final.

He made 12 starts and five substitute appearances for Barrow this season before joining Southport for a loan spell in December.

"We had a chat with him and asked him to come back for a few games," said Bayliss.

"We know him, he's full of energy and is probably the best midfielder at Blue Square North level, but unfortunately for Ash he felt he was wanted somewhere else."

Me and Darren will take all the flak and we have been critical of them [the players] in the past but it's a learning curve for us as well

Dave Bayliss
The Bluebirds will now face Southport in the fifth round of the Setanta Shield following Tuesday night's 3-1 fourth round win against York City.

Two goals from Wayne Curtis and another from Paul Brown gave Barrow their first win in over a month, with Bayliss hoping his team can carry that form into their faltering league campaign.

"Every little run has to start somewhere and hopefully we can kick on from here," added Bayliss. "All we want is for the lads to give us 100%.

"Me and Darren [Sheridan] will take all the flak and we have been critical of them [the players] in the past but it's a learning curve for us as well.

"After Saturday's defeat at Stevenage we thought we'd moved a few barriers and got a few things out of the way and I think that showed [against York]."

Bayliss also confirmed that the club are still looking to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.

"We're always looking. If the right player comes along then we'll have a look at it," he said.

"But on the evidence of the [York] performance, if we can keep everyone together we'll be OK."