MARK Cooper has left Barrow AFC in the wake of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Carlisle United.

Saturday's result left Paul Simpson's side six points better off than their Cumbrian counterparts, with Barrow still very much in a battle against the drop into the National League.

And the Bluebirds have become the latest League Two struggler to part with their manager.

Cooper's assistant Richard Dryden has also left the Holker Street club.

“After discussions on Saturday, it was ultimately decided that we would go our separate ways,” said chairman Paul Hornby.

“We would like to thank both Mark and Richard for their efforts during their time at Barrow and wish them every success in the future.”

After the game, Cooper said his side was too “passive” and conceded “horrendous” goals to the Blues after strikes from Jordan Gibson and Kristian Dennis won it for Carlisle.

Ollie Banks pulled one back for the south Cumbrians but it was not enough to save the game - or Cooper's job, as he has now found.

Barrow are six points above the drop zone and now seeking their fifth manager since their return to the Football League in 2020.

Cooper, speaking to BBC Cumbria after the game, said: “We didn’t turn up in the first half.

“It was a rubbish game in the first half. We didn’t get out of the traps – played too many backward and square passes.

“They were difficult conditions again but we didn’t ask enough questions of their defenders.

“We conceded two horrendous goals, and you know if the opposition score one goal we can’t win the game. We’ve got to draw it.

“We wasted the first half. In the second half we came flying out of the traps. By the way, all I asked for was for the boys to run about, it’s a local derby, show a bit of spirit…

“We should have been in front, missed some great chances, then got done with a comical ‘It’s a Knockout’ goal, which makes it an uphill task.

“Then we get back into it and think here we go, we should equalise, but it’s the story of our season.

“We didn’t make them work hard enough. It’s a disappointing afternoon.”

Cooper said his side was “passive” and also wasted some good crossing positions.

He added of Simpson’s visitors: “Carlisle have had a good run, they do what they do, they put the ball forward and wait for you to make mistakes, and that’s what we did."