Barrow boss Paul Cox wants to refocus on play-off push after FA Cup exit

Two goals from in-form striker Ian Henderson ended the home side's hopes at foggy Holker Street and secured a richly-deserved 2-0 victory for Keith Hill's high-flying League One side.

Victory would have put the hosts into the fourth round for the first time in their history but Cox insisted his squad must now look forward to maintaining their National League play-off push for the remainder of the campaign.

Cox said: "We were on the verge of making history in this competition but it's over, it's chip paper, and I've told the players it is now all about how we react from today's defeat in terms of our mind-set and approach.

"There has to be a sense of pride that we've got as far as we have and while I'd love for us to have been more clinical in front of goal, realistically I don't think we were good enough to win the game today."

Barrow will next head to Southport on Tuesday sitting just three points outside the National League top five with games in hand, and Cox hopes the excitement generated by the club's biggest home crowd in 27 years will stand them in good stead.

He added: "I believe this is just the start of something at this club and the more people we can get on the terraces from now until the end of the season and beyond, the more proactive it is going to be for this football club."

Rochdale boss Hill expressed pride at the professionalism of his side's performance in the difficult conditions and admitted his mind is already straying to the possibility of landing a Premier League giant in the fourth round draw.

Hill said: "There was no fear of losing this football match and I don't think a shock was ever on the cards - there was no negligence in the way we approached and played the game and we fully deserved our win.

"I'm not bothered who we get in the next round because we just want to go as far as we possibly can. But it would be nice to play one of the top four or five - you see them through the camera but it's different up close and personal, so I'd love to pit my wits against someone like that."

Like Barrow, Rochdale remain good bets to land a play-off spot in League One this season but Hill is determined to play down the prospect of Championship football at Spotland next season and continue to build the club in the right way.

He added: "We're not one of those clubs who gamble, we don't go all-in on the roulette table and end up in the Conference or a league below. We've got good, prudent planning at this club so a good Cup run is about helping us survive next season and the year after."

"We are good to go with the players we've got. I know I've got a good, young, energetic side with some really good experienced players and if we all do the right thing and continue performing like we are doing, then anything is possible."