BARROW AFC are still hunting their first National League away victory of the campaign after a late collapse saw them surrender the lead and then fall to a desperately disappointing defeat at struggling FC Halifax Town.

AFC twice struck the woodwork during the first half when they boasted the superior attacking weapons, although they failed to dominate their hosts for big chunks of the opening period.

Halifax fought hard, but their end product was extremely poor as they failed to create a single excellent chance, despite earning plenty of good possession.

Barrow came storming out of the traps at the start of the second half and Andy Cook headed home his fourth goal of the campaign to put his side ahead.

Cook came up trumps again having scored Barrow’s winner in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Southport.

But the hosts soaked up pressure before sparking into life in the latter stages with goals from Sean Tuton, substitute CJ Hamilton and Jordan Burrow handing Halifax their first win of the season.

It was a bitter pill for Barrow to swallow having been the better side for most of the second period.

Bluebirds boss Darren Edmondson resisted any temptation to tinker with his starting line-up.

But winger Dave Symington returned to the squad after recovering from a hamstring problem.

He was named as a substitute, while youngster Elliot Newby came out of the squad.

A lively opening saw AFC left-back Neil Ashton earn a yellow card just seconds into the contest for a foul on Connor Hughes.

On four minutes, winger Andy Haworth’s 20-yard effort struck the outside of the left-hand post.

Barrow’s other winger, Benjamin van den Broek, could not pick out a team-mate with his right-flank cross.

With neither side taking a firm grip of proceedings early on, the hosts’ first shot arrived on 11 minutes as Danny Hattersley fired over.

Town applied some pressure but they looked like a side striving hard to find some form as their attacking possession play lacked quality.

The hosts were clearly up for the fight having picked up just one point from their previous six games.

Another half-chance for Halifax saw AFC stopper Joel Dixon dive to his left to save Burrow’s header.

An example of poor end product was offered by Hughes, who badly over-hit his right-wing cross.

AFC needed to find a higher gear as they were being out-fought on too many occasions.

Decent passing play from Halifax led to Danny Racchi aiming a tame 20-yarder straight at Dixon on 28 minutes.

Moments later, Danny Livesey’s volley was deflected off-target at the other end, before Town keeper Matt Glennon easily gobbled up Haworth’s unconvincing free-kick.

Barrow were warming to their task and took control.

They hit the woodwork for a second time when Cook, positioned at the far left-hand post, met George Williams’ deep cross and headed against the bar on 32 minutes.

Paddy Lacey then missed the target with a wild shot from distance.

Cook nodded the ball down into a danger area, but Hamza Bencherif beat Jason Walker to the ball and cleared.

On 42 minutes, another Halifax attack once again resulted in disappointment as Kingsley James blazed off-target.

Soon after, Cook felt he was fouled while trying to meet a cross in the box but his penalty appeal was rejected.

And in first-half injury time, James Bolton misfired.

AFC looked in determined mood at the start of the second half as Cook’s strike sent the ball wide.

But the deadly marksman found the net on 54 minutes.

The attacker rose to meet Williams’ right-wing cross and this time guided his header into the net.

The Bluebirds went in search of a second goal with Walker’s attempt clearing the bar.

Halifax perked up around the hour-mark.

The ball dropped to Tuton, who guided the ball over the bar. Moments later, Burrow’s shot was deflected away from danger, while van den Broek nodded wide on 67 minutes.

Cook was given too much room in the visitors’ box on 74 minutes, and the striker almost made Town pay, with his low drive going the wrong side of the far left-hand post.

Halifax’s comeback began on 79 minutes. The ball fell to Tuton and, from the angle, he lifted it beyond Dixon to find the net.

Town took the lead five minutes later. Dixon’s save diverted Burrow’s drive against the left-hand post, but the ball fell to Hamilton, who lashed his shot into the right-hand corner.

A boosted Halifax side kept on coming, although Cook used his chest to deflect Haworth’s shot wide on 86 minutes.

Burrow made the game safe for Halifax in the first minute of injury time. Josh MacDonald scuffed his effort, but the ball fell into the path of Burrow who made no mistake in sweeping home from close range.

While the Shay home faithful were left to celebrate a huge win, Barrow’s search for a first away point goes on.