Last updated 09:33, Monday, 17 November 2008

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BARROW AFC returned from Kent empty handed after a goal in time added on sealed their fate at Stonebridge Road.
And it meant that they had completed a league double over the Bluebirds in the space of a few weeks.
Skipper Neil Barrett’s goal at the end of the game was enough to break Ebbsfleet United’s run of five straight Blue Square Premier defeats which had followed their 3-0 win over the Bluebirds at Holker Street in September.
Joint boss Dave Bayliss described that defeat as “an off day” for Barrow and was looking to use this game “to put the record straight”, while the Fleet’s Liam Daish wanted his side to “stand up and be counted”.
With Andrew Bond failing a fitness test and Mark Boyd suspended for one game, Darren Sheridan stepped in to play a role protecting his defence with veteran forward Paul Tait also dropping into a midfield role.
Barrow barely mustered a shot to trouble the Fleet’s Lance Cronin, but at the other end on loan Leeds keeper Alan Martin had to deal with efforts from Barrett and Karl Murray before being substituted at half-time with flu symptoms.
Deputy Tim Deasy looked uneasy as he faced Ebbsfleet’s second half onslaught, and was lucky to collect Murray’s 20 yard shot at the second attempt after spilling the low drive as it came through a shield of players.
Luke Moore fired wide before Stacy Long had two good chances - first with a shot deflected wide and then with a chip plucked out of the air by Deasy.
Barrett had two glancing headers go wide of the target before delivering the coup de grace in time added on.
Barrow’s one real opportunity also came late on when Sheridan’s deep free kick from the right evaded the head of skipper Paul Jones after keeper Cronin had committed himself.
Deasy had no chance to stop Barrett’s winning goal, created when Long set up Sacha Opinel to cross from the left wing, allowing the Fleet skipper to come in on the blindside and drive the ball home with a diagonal shot.
Barrow’s strategy of containment, which had worked until right at the death, left the Bluebirds facing a long trip home without a point to show for their efforts.
“I’m devastated for the lads” said Bayliss. “It was frustrating. It’s a hard place to come and we put so much effort into it.
“We didn’t play particularly well and maybe the formation didn’t help. We seemed to do the basics very poorly.
“At times we are naïve and we’ve come away with nothing. It is a reminder of how painful it is to lose. We’ve got to move on.”
Barrow now face a crucial FA Cup replay at home to Eastbourne on Tuesday night.