NEIL Tolson spelled out a survival message to Altrincham’s players by urging them to eliminate basic defensive errors after they missed the chance to escape the National League’s bottom four at Barrow on Saturday.

Alty deservedly went in front when Jordan Sinnott curled home a brilliant 20-yard free kick for his first goal for the club, just three days after his dad Lee’s managerial reign ended.

But Barrow claimed a controversial equaliser just before half time and caught Alty napping twice in quick succession in the second half, before James Lawrie reduced the arrears with an unerring strike from the edge of the area.

As he prepared for his first home appearance as caretaker boss, against Aldershot at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, Tolson said: "They never looked like troubling us at all, and we were coping comfortably, until the referee somehow missed a clear foul on (keeper) Tim Deasy and allowed their equaliser to stand.

"Tim said he was being held as the corner came over and couldn’t move.

"It was a clear free kick to us, and we should have gone in 1-0 up and feeling good about having the upper hand.

"Instead, our dressing room is a bit deflated, while theirs is jubilant.

"That was frustrating but we have to hold our hands up and say two minutes of madness cost us after that.

"For their second and third goals, we gave them too much space and didn’t mark tightly enough.

"We have to put a stop to that.

"But the response from the lads to Lee’s departure was evident in the performance.

"Effort-wise and commitment-wise, I couldn’t have asked for more.

"I am very confident we can stay up, because the ability is there.

"When it’s not going your way, you stick to what you believe in.

"For us, that means passing the ball and being a good, hard-working team.

"With the players we’ve got, I’m confident we can get enough positive results to turn it round."

Former left-back Matt Doughty is assisting Tolson, who said: "He's good round the dressing room and keeps everyone lively and on their toes."