Last updated at 11:32, Sunday, 03 March 2013

TAKE THE STRAIN James Owen is struggling with a groin injury

DANNY L Rowe's early free kick and a late Alex-Ray Harvey strike handed Barrow AFC a vital 2-0 home win over Tamworth – a result that sees Dave Bayliss's men propel themselves out of the Conference Premier relegation zone.

Barrow were good value for their win after offering a greater attacking threat and out-battling the lacklustre Lambs.

The Bluebirds started on the front foot with Rowe's namesake, winger Danny Rowe, firing just wide, from 20 yards, in only the second minute.

And Barrow continued to edge a fairly tight opening period as Lambs winger Danny Lloyd and Bluebirds midfielder Richie Baker spurned half chances.
But Rowe broke the deadlock, on 15 minutes, after Tamworth centre-back Tom Marshall handled the ball to concede a free-kick on the edge of the box.
And the attacker produced a cultured set-piece in guiding the ball just inside the near right-hand post.
Barrow pushed forward after the goal in a bid to double their advantage as Danny L Rowe failed to test Lambs goalkeeper Tony Breeden with two weak efforts.
Barrow lost some of their impetus for a short while, but sparked back into life on 33 minutes, when Breeden failed to properly punch clear a delivery. The ball eventually fell to Paul Rutherford whose tame angled strike was gathered by the slightly embarrassed Breeden.
Tamworth had barely mustered an attacking threat as Barrow comfortably made it to the break with their lead intact.
Much like the start of the first half, the home side gradually grew in confidence following a cagey opening to the second period, with Danny Rowe and Rutherford unable to find the net with further shots.
Barrow keeper Danny Hurst ensured the hosts maintained their lead, on 63 minutes, when he beat away Danny Lloyd's long-range effort.
A few other opportunities were wasted until Breeden got his body in the way of Rutherford's low shot, on 75 minutes.
In light of recent games, it was perhaps inevitable that a few nerves would creep into Barrow's play. And that's how it proved, as Tamworth substitute Darren Byfield stabbed the ball from eight yards, but Hurst made the save before the danger was cleared on 80 minutes.
And Harvey made the victory safe two minutes into stoppage time when he raced onto Danny L Rowe's pass and lashed home from 16 yards.

Midfielder James Owen failed to recover from a groin injury which meant Sean McConville was recalled to the starting line-up.
McConville was unleashed up front and offered support to fellow attacker Danny L Rowe, while Owen sustained the injury in Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Wrexham. As expected, leading striker Adam Boyes was missing again with a calf problem.
Goalkeeper Max Johnson was drafted straight into the squad arriving yesterday, and took his place on the substitutes' bench. The 22-year-old, who coaches youth stoppers at Manchester City has been brought in to act as cover for Hurst, a role formerly held by Shaun Pearson who is preparing for his move to Australia.
Sean Hessey was restored to the squad to end his month-long absence, during which time he was laid low with flu.

Barrow AFC: Danny Hurst, Garry Hunter, Efe Sodje, Mike Pearson, Gavin Skelton, Paul Rutherford, Richie Baker, Alex-Ray Harvey, Sean McConville (Lee McEvilly 88), Danny Rowe (Sean Hessey 79), Danny L Rowe.

Barrow AFC substitutes: Max Johnson, Matt Flynn, Tom Eckersley.

Tamworth: Tony Breeden, Jonathan Thorpe, Sam Oji, Tom Marshall, Duane Courtney, Connor Gudger, Jake Hessenthaler, Marcus Kelly, Danny Lloyd (Darren Byfield 64), Kyle Perry, Adam Cunnington.

Tamworth substitutes: James Wren, Michael Wylde, Tommy Wright, Stuart Hendrie.

Referee: S Stockbridge

First published at 14:53, Saturday, 02 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk