Crewe Alexandra must ‘nullify’ the firepower of Barrow if they are to take all three points tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm).

That’s according to Assistant Manager Ryan Dicker, who says The Railwaymen must be at their best to win the tasty fourth-versus-fifth clash at Holker Street.

Barrow sit one place and two points above Crewe in League Two, and are unbeaten at home this term.

Dicker said: “We know what’s coming. They are a well organised team and Pete (Wild) has done a terrific job with them this season; they are doing really well.

“They have some terrific players and they have firepower in that front line. We will have to be at it from a defensive aspect and try to nullify them.”

The two sides met at Mornflake Stadium just before the turn of the year, with Barrow – who signed striker Cole Stockton from Burton this week - emerging as 3-1 winners against an injury-hit Alex.

But Crewe have started 2024 with three straight wins, including a 1-0 success which ended Mansfield’s unbeaten home run.

Dicker says the vocal backing of supporters will again be key.

He added: “The supporters have been great, there hasn’t been a game away from home where we haven’t heard them supporting, singing and urging the lads on in good and bad spells in games.

“Credit to them; and we will definitely need them again. It’ll be a big plus for us if they get behind us as they have done, and we will try to repay that with three points.”