Last updated at 11:18, Sunday, 24 February 2013

BARROW AFC were held to a frustrating goalless draw at relegation rivals Lincoln City this afternoon.

The Bluebirds suffered a huge blow ahead of the game as leading goalscorer Adam Boyes was ruled out with a calf injury.
The 22-year-old, who has netted 16 times this season, sustained the injury in Tuesday's 2-0 home victory against Woking.
And Barrow missed his cutting edge up front as they failed to capitalise on their superior attacking play and possession share. But they can take heart after producing a dynamic display which just lacked that killer final delivery and decisive shot.
Barrow started brightly with left-winger Danny Rowe crashing an angled drive into the side-netting during the first minute.
The game soon levelled out though, with Imps skipper Alan Power aiming a tame 12-yard shot at Bluebirds keeper Danny Hurst.
With both defences being largely on top in the opening stages, a few half chances came and went including a weak Danny Rowe effort that was comfortably saved by Imps keeper Paul Farman on 22 minutes.
However, Barrow continued to produce some good passing play and were more confident in possession, compared with their lacklustre hosts.
But the Bluebirds' superior passing play, which offered them greater possession as the half wore on, wasn't translating into clear-cut chances, although Danny Rowe tested his sights again with a 39th minute volley that was collected by Farman.
A good chance did arrive two minutes before the break, when a right-hand cross fell to attacking midfielder Richie Baker whose low eight-yard strike was saved by the legs of the Imps keeper.
Barrow started the second half with a spring in their step as Danny L Rowe produced an ambitious half-volley which flew wide on 48 minutes.
Rowe then spurned a superb opportunity, on 57 minutes, when he raced onto Gavin Skelton's cut-back but could only guide his 12-yard drive at Farman. It was then Skelton's turn to try his luck, soon after, but the left-back dragged his 16-yard shot wide following more good passing play from the visitors.
On 67 minutes, a rapid Barrow breakaway led to Farman being called into action again as he collected Danny Rowe's 12-yarder.
Further half chances were created with Hurst getting a rare chance to warm his hands when he gathered Colin Larkin's grass-cutter of a shot on 78 minutes.
Farman gobbled up Paul Rutherford's 16-yard effort on 85 minutes before Barrow had to settle for securing a point – when they deserved all three, based on their superior general play.
Barrow boss Dave Bayliss bolstered his starting midfield ranks by recalling combative midfielder James Owen who returned from suspension.
Meanwhile, winger Rutherford overcame the shin injury he picked up against Woking to retain his place.
But Bayliss continued to be without defensive duo Sean Hessey and Danny O'Donnell who missed out through illness and a shoulder injury complaint respectively.
Lincoln were led by joint-caretaker bosses Grant Brown and Chris Moyses after the Imps parted company with ex-manager David Holdsworth last weekend.

Lincoln City: Paul Farman, Tom Miller, Andrew Boyce, Scott Garner, Nicky Nicolau, Jake Jones, Alan Power, Mamadou Fofana (Adam Smith 62), Paul Turnbull, Colin Larkin (Connor Robinson 82), Jamie Taylor (Vadaine Oliver 57).

Substitutes: Dan Gray, David Preece.

Barrow AFC: Danny Hurst, Garry Hunter, Efe Sodje, Mike Pearson, Gavin Skelton, Paul Rutherford, Richie Baker, Alex Ray-Harvey, James Owen, Danny Rowe, Danny L Rowe.

Substitutes: Shaun Pearson, Matt Flynn, Tom Eckersley, Sean McConville, Lee McEvilly.

Referee: Nick Kinseley

Attendance: 1,830 (including 54 visitors)

First published at 14:46, Saturday, 23 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk