Last updated at 20:19, Saturday, 01 September 2012

Blue Square Bet Premier: Barrow 1 Kidderminster 1

Goals: Barrow: Richie Baker (77) Kidderminster: Danny Pilkington (8)

Attendance: 778 (including 46 Kidderminster supporters)

BOTH Barrow AFC and Kidderminster Harriers are still looking for their first wins of the season after a highly-entertaining 1-1 draw Holker Street.

Kidderminster took the lead on eight minutes when, moments after an Anthony Malbon tap-in had been ruled out for offside, winger Danny Pilkington was given the freedom of the box and he picked his spot in the corner of the net.

A double save from Hurst just a minute later denied Kidderminster a second goal.

Chances continued to come thick and fast at both ends of the pitch and on 33 minutes a cracking 18-yard shot from Barrow midfielder Richie Baker was kept out by Nathan Vaughan's superb one-handed save.

Paul Rutherford and Malbon then went close for Barrow and Kidderminster respectively before, on the stroke of half-time, Bluebirds winger Danny Rowe volleyed over when well placed.

The second half stated quietly but burst into life in the last 15 minutes. Rutherford should have scored for Barrow before, on 77 minutes, Baker's deflected shot found the corner of the net to make it 1-1.

Then, deep into stoppage-time, Bluebirds striker Adam Boyes, who was outstanding throughout, curled an 18-yard effort just inches wide of the post.

The point gained moves Barrow up one place to third-bottom. Kidderminster remain at the foot of the table.

Bluebirds boss Dave Bayliss made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Macclesfield on Monday, with striker Joe Jackson, winger Rowe and midfielder Baker replacing Vinny Mukendi, who is now on loan at Tamworth, Chris Moore, who dropped to the bench, and James Owen, who has a side injury.

Barrow went into the basement battle having taken just two points from their first five games of the season. Kidderminster arrived at Holker Street having lost all of their opening five matches.

Barrow (4-4-2): Danny Hurst; Mike Pearson, Gavin Skelton (captain), Tom Anderson, Tom Aldred; Paul Rutherford, Garry Hunter, Richie Baker, Danny Rowe (Chris Moore 46); Joe Jackson (Obi Anoruo 75), Adam Boyes. Subs not used: Shaun Pearson, Sean Hessey, Dean Overson.

Kidderminster (4-4-2): Nathan Vaughan; Lee Vaughan, Mickey Demetriou, Chey Dunkley, Ryan Austin; Danny Pilkington (Marvin Johnson 60), Keith Briggs (captain), Kyle Storer, Callum Gittins (Manny Panther 74); Anthony Malbon, Nathan Blissett (Richard Peniket 72). Subs not used: Mike Williams, Steve Guinan.

Yellow cards: Barrow: Baker (66). Kidderminster: Johnson (88)

Updates both here and on Twitter (follow reporter @leeprocterNWEM)

* Read Barrow striker Joe Jackson's thoughts ahead of the game: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/afc/news/jackson-it-s-time-to-click-1.991196?referrerPath=home

* Read about Barrow's excellent recent record against Kidderminster: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/afc/news/keeping-harriers-grounded-1.991206?referrerPath=raiders

See Monday's Evening Mail for full report, photos and post-match reaction 

First published at 13:21, Saturday, 01 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk