Harrogate Town's Dan Jones happy to see old friends at Barrow AFC, but even more thrilled with another clean-sheet

Dan Jones in action during Harrogate Town's 1-0 success over Barrow at Holker Street. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

But, even more satisfying for the 26-year-old left-back was the clean-sheet that he helped his current team keep and the three points which came with it.

And Jones, who turned out for the Cumbrians between 2017 and 2019 and then again during a loan spell last season, feels that Town's third consecutive 1-0 victory was another important one.

"There were a few familiar faces, it was nice to see some old friends and people I spent a few years of my life with," he told the Harrogate Advertiser.

Dan Jones congratulates Jack Muldoon on his match-winning strike against the Bluebirds.

"Barrow are scrapping at the bottom, they don't want to go down especially after the highs of last year, so it was tough. Every game in this league is tough and every win is important.

"It's nice to get another 1-0. It was scrappy but good to keep a clean-sheet. That's three clean-sheets in a row, I've started the last two, so I'm very happy. That's my job, I've got it done and credit to the rest of the lads, we've kept them as a team.

"We need to keep keeping clean-sheets and putting three points on the board if we want to continue pushing up the table and go for the play-offs."

Jones' two recent starts follow on from a brief cameo off the substitutes' bench against Mansfield on February 23, his first appearance in almost three months having undergone surgery on a groin injury picked up during training.

And with Town having been in decent form since the turn of the year, the Salford City loanee says he has had to push really hard to win his place back.

"I feel like I had to work really hard to get my place in the starting line-up back as obviously the lads were doing really well," he added.

"We've got a good team here and nobody takes their place for granted.

"I had to put in a few weeks of hard work in training, getting back up to speed to be able to push for a starting spot and I'm glad I've been able to do it.

"I feel alright. I'm still not 100 per cent match-fit but I am getting there and obviously the games are going to help. I'll get fitter the more game-time I get."

Tuesday's victory, which came courtesy of Jack Muldoon's calm 84th-minute finish, lifts Harrogate up to 11th in the League Two standings ahead of Saturday's trip to Stevenage.