Michael Gash came off the bench to provide a dramatic finish to City’s first ever visit to Barrow with an injury time winner. However, the Lilywhites should have had the game sewn up well before that, but a combination of wasteful finishing and fine goalkeeping from home stopper Simon Bishop, saw that the game went right to the wire.

Barrow went into the game with only one change from their last outing, a 3-0 away win against Hednesford, cup-tied Carl Heiniger being replaced by Steve Ridley. City also had one change to make, Greg Lincoln replaced by Craig Dobson for the same reason.

The Barrow defence try to deal with Robbie Simpson

Having stayed overnight in a local hotel, there was no tiredness in the City players legs and they got quickly into their stride. Two chances were created in the first five minutes. Paul Booth forced Bishop to save well at the foot of his post and Booth was again to the fore when a quick free-kick from Mark Molesley gave him the chance to turn and fire in a shot, but fortunately for Barrow it was straight down the keeper’s throat.

City kept pressing and a superb four man passing move involving Molesley, Dale Binns, Booth and Robbie Simpson, cut Barrow wide open. The only thing missing was the finish as the final ball into the run of Josh Simpson was only just over-hit and the home defence was able to squeeze the midfielder out.

With City so much on top, it came as no surprise when they went in front. The Simpsons combined again with Robbie laying the ball off to Josh, a quick control of the ball on the chest and the Academy product cracked an unstoppable shot beyond Bishop and into the far corner.

Barrow were failing to create anything going forward with City’s defence in top form and Danny Naisbitt was but a spectator as the home sides attacks floundered all too often. On fifteen minutes City broke up another ponderous foray forward from the Holker Street side and broke upfield, Molesley forcing Bishop to deal with his low drive. Sixty seconds later, seemingly cutting through at will, City went within inches of going two up when Robbie Simpson again turned provider, slipping in Josh Simpson only to see Bishop produce a superb save to turn the ball behind.

Barrow registered their first effort on goal just after the twenty minute mark when Gavin Knight attempted to chip the ball over Naisbitt from 20 yards, but the City keeper was alert and took an easy catch.

Mark Molesley powers forward

Molesley wasted a good chance when set up by Booth, trying to place a shot past Bishop from 18 yards he failed to find enough power to trouble the keeper. Soon after, some lovely passing that seemed to mesmerise Barrow ended with Booth dribbling his way through two challenges as he burst into the penalty area but just as a second goal looked odds on, one touch too many allowed a defender to hack the ball to safety.

Despite having been second best, Barrow finished the half the strongest as it entered it’s final five minutes. Jonathan Smith forced Naisbitt into a flying catch as he headed Chris Butler’s free-kick goalwards, then Graham Anthony let fly from 25 yards but saw it clear the bar by a couple of feet. Their best moment of the half came in injury time when Kyle Wilson made good ground down the right before whipping the ball into the near-post where Knight hit a shot on the turn that smacked against Naisbitt’s chest, the City keeper racing forward to grab the loose ball.

Barrow didn’t pick up where they left off as the second period got underway and City should have extended their lead in the early minutes. Matt Langston headed Bishop’s goalkick powerfuly back upfield, Booth flicked on and Robbie Simpson burst clear but with the goal at his mercy, blazed his shot over the bar. Five minutes later and another chance went begging. City swiftly turned defence into attack and Josh Simpson played the perfect through ball for Booth but City’s top scorer took a heavy touch as he rounded Bishop and the chance was gone. Seconds later and Robbie Simpson saw a pull-back roll harmlessly across the Barrow penalty box as Booth attacked the six yard area.

Just after the hour, City were nearly made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when, out of the blue, Barrow nearly levelled. Guy Hefferan’s long throw was not cleared and as it bounced around on the edge of the area, Steve Flitcroft produced a dipping volley that crashed against the bar with Naisbitt well beaten. Barrow were left feeling even more hard done by when Flitcroft tried his luck again only to see his drive strike Fuff on the shoulder, the referee waving away appeals for a penalty. City instantly broke away and Binns found Robbie Simpson with a clear sight of goal but his effort whistled narrowly wide of the far post.

Paul Booth dribbles his way into the box

As time passed, the game became more and more frantic with chances at both ends. Barrow Substitute, Mike Rushton almost scored with his first touch as the ball broke to him inside the City area, but he scuffed a weak effort straight to Naisbitt. Robbie Simpson then flashed a shot just wide and Bishop was equal to Gash’s drive as City again threatened a killer goal. However, it was to be Barrow who registered the next goal as they equalised on 71 minutes, Rushton stooping to head home after Anthony’s free-kick was headed back across goal.

Barrow had their tails up and driven on by a noisy home crowd pressed forward. Wilson did well to pull the ball back from the bye-line, Neil Tarrant planted a header on goal but Naisbitt simply plucked the ball out of the air as he ran across his goal-line.

City looked to hit back and Molesley found substitute Dave Sadler in space and he drew a fine stop from Bishop, James Cotterill hoofing the loose ball to safety. Bishop again came to Barrow’s rescue when he brilliantly tipped Gash’s drive, that was heading for the top corner, over the bar.

Barrow’s fans were left fuming when they were denied another penalty with five minutes left. As Craig Pope and Tarrant tussled for a high cross the ball dropped onto Pope’s arm, but referee Evans clearly deemed it accidental and waved play on.

With time running out, thoughts were turning to a replay at Milton Road but Gash had other ideas. The news that there were two minutes of added time had barely left the tannoy announcer’s lips as Gash slipped his marker on the halfway line. Powering forward, the teenager went surging past Cotterill then Bishop before sliding the ball in to an empty net, que wild celebrations with City’s vociferous travelling support.

It may have been late in coming but nonetheless it was more than deserved.