A very difficult decision is looming on the horizon for Garry Wilson.

The Eastbourne Borough manager knows it too after seeing his side finally beat Barrow at the fifth time of asking.

For all the planning and preparation that goes into pre-season you sometimes need a little help to stumble upon the winning formula.

That is what happened at Priory Lane on Saturday when Neil Jenkins limped off after just 12 minutes.

Wilson was forced into a reshuffle and with Simon Weatherstone switching from the right-hand side of midfield to the centre things started to click into place.

Weatherstone began to pull the strings and as well as setting up one goal came close to scoring himself on half a dozen occasions.

The problem for Wilson and assistant Nick Greenwood now is what to do when Jenkins returns.

Then he will have to choose between Weatherstone, skipper Paul Armstrong and Danny Brown – not to mention Matt Smart and Simon Johnson – as his central midfield pairing.

Wilson said: “It is a difficult position but I would rather it that way than have players with lesser abilities so the choice is easy.

“We have got options not just in midfield but all over the pitch and you need that because it is a long season and I’m sure the whole squad will play their part.”

While that selection dilemma may be in the future, Wilson and Greenwood got another tough choice spot- on at the weekend.

Liam Enver-Marum was dropped to the bench after failing to score in the opening four games and Andy Atkin justified his elevation to the stating line-up for the first time by creating the opening goal and scoring the second.

You could sense the frustration beginning to grow at Priory Lane when Atkin linked up superbly with Jamie Taylor to break the deadlock four minutes before half-time.

Taylor chested the ball down to his strike partner who laid it back into his path to burst into the area and finish with a low shot under Stuart Tomlinson.

It was the former Horsham striker’s first goal for Borough and three minutes later Atkin opened his account for the season when he guided a header into the far corner from Weatherstone’s cross.

The scoreline was slightly harsh on Barrow who had played some decent football in the first half without really threatening.

Their best chance came in the 27th minute when Aaron Taylor somehow shot over from six yards, while in contrast Borough were carving out opportunities thick and fast.

Weatherstone had six shots at goal on his own, including one 35-yard screamer which Tomlinson pushed away at full stretch and a volley which deflected just wide.

It was not until 12 minutes into the second half that Borough keeper Danny Knowles was finally called into action when he got down well to turn a shot from Carlos Logan around a post. At the other end Taylor and Atkin continued to cause problems with Tomlinson denying Taylor twice and also saving from Atkin.

Atkin should have given him no chance with five minutes to go when he blasted against the bar from close range before Paul Jones headed a consolation in injury time.

Atkin said: “I’ve had to wait for my chance and was a bit rusty to begin with but I settled down and was pleased with the way it went.

“We needed to bounce back after losing at Grays and the lads did it well. It was encouraging the number of chances we created.”

Eastbourne: Knowles, Austin, Pullan, Elphick (sub Baker, 81), Jenkins (sub Smith, 15), Weatherstone, Brown, Armstrong, M Crabb, Taylor (sub Smart, 85), Atkin. Subs not used: Jordan, Enver-Marum.

Barrow: Tomlinson, Spender, Jones, Dugdale, Newton, Foley, Hulbert, Bond (sub Boyd, 46), Logan, Walker, Taylor (sub Rutherford, 46). Subs not used: Deasy, Pearson, Morris.