LIONS boss Tony Barrow believes his club's hopes of winning a top five play-off spot are fading fast - despite a recent upturn in fortunes.

Swinton's chief executive admits what started out as a realistic aim now looks like an uphill task, particularly in the wake of Sunday's 37-20 setback at Workington.

"We may have blown our chance of the top five," he said. "It has been a turbulent few months at the club and we just need to get things on track."

The Lions have won only five of their 15 Northern Ford Premiership matches this season and are sitting fourth from bottom of the 18-team table.

The Lions have no game this weekend. Their scheduled home clash with Batley Bulldogs has been postponed while the pitch is re-seeded. It will now be played on Wednesday, July 7.

That means new coach Mike Gregory has a further week to work with his players and gives injured trio Mark Welsby, Ian Blease and Cliff Eccles the chance to recover from groin problems.

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