SUTTON UNITED 0 BARROW AFC 0

PAUL COX celebrates a year in charge at Barrow next week, and it’s testament to the progress made in that time that he stopped short of declaring their goalless draw at Sutton as a good point, writes SAM ELLIOTT.

The manager has helped bring the club on massively since his arrival last November, but against a team who have beaten most of the National League’s big boys, a win was always a tall order.

Especially after a first half where the south west Londoners could have scored on more than one occasion. The start was fast-paced on the slick artificial surface.

Barrow said the 3G wasn’t ideal for their game but try and and tell the club’s fans who travelled to the capital in pouring rain that a plastic pitch – guaranteeing the game goes ahead – was anything but a bonus. A quick opening but it took over ten minutes for the first real chance.

A free-kick on the edge of the box allowed United’s Ross Stearn a sight of goal but he dragged his attempt just wide of Joel Dixon’s right-hand post.

Not happy at his near miss, the wide man – having swapped wings with Roarie Deacon moments earlier – rampaged through.

After drawing in Nick Anderton, Stearn got his head down before a fine effort fell again inches wide of the woodwork. Dan Fitchett, the U’s forward, was also causing issues for Barrow. His low drive from the edge of the box had Dixon at full stretch.

From the corner, Stearn was wondering who he had upset. Another great strike, this time the ball smashing the post. It was a further let-off for the visitors.

This Barrow side will always create chances. After Simon Downer was booked for a clumsy challenge on Jordan Williams, Liam Hughes’ free-kick had to be clawed from the top corner by home keeper Ross Worner.

Hughes was only playing after his FA Cup red card at Taunton Town was overturned but the midfielder didn’t impose himself on the game. Williams, booked on the half hour for having too much to say, was placed on a tightrope after hauling over Stearn five minutes later.

Barrow’s best first-half chance came predictably from a set piece with time added on nearing. Williams’ centre was nodded back well by Danny Livesey, Ross Hannah was perfectly placed but he hadn’t banked on Downer smothering his well-hit shot on the line.

It was a great piece of defending by the right-back. Ten minutes into the second half and Sutton threatened.

First Craig McAllister’s flicked header made Dixon act, then he was really worked – Stearn low and powerful. Still, he couldn’t get his goal at the fourth attempt with the Barrow keeper equal to it.

Bluebirds’ left-back Anderton then went close before Hannah wriggled free and struck straight at Worner.

It was the striker’s final act, with Hannah taken off and Ritchie Bennett introduced. And the replacement nearly opened the scoring within minutes, but he couldn’t make the most of a rare defensive mix-up.

Barrow were now very much on top. With ten minutes to go Anderton let fly again, this time from 20 yards and one-handed Worner was at full stretch to keep him from grabbing what surely would have been the winner eight minutes from time.

Sutton’s box-of-tricks Deacon, though, wanted the final say. With the clock ticking down he twisted and turned but could only fire straight at Dixon – it was a soggy day, but the goalkeepers just wouldn’t let anything slip through their grasp.

Sutton United: (4-4-2) Ross Worner, Simon Downer, Dean Beckwith, Jamie Collins, Kevin Amankwaah, Ross Stearn (Craig Dudas 80) Craig Eastmond, Bedsente Gomis, Roarie Deacon, Craig McAllister, Dan Fitchett (Ryan Burge 76) Subs not used: Adam May, Dan Spence, Brandon Haunstrop.

YELLOW CARDS: Downer 30, Gomis 44.

Barrow AFC: (4-4-2) Joel Dixon 8, Euan Murray 6, Danny Livesey 8, Moussa Diarra 7, Nick Anderson 7, Liam Hughes 6, Ryan Yates 6. Alex-Ray Harvey 7, Jordan Williams 6, Ross Hannah 6 (Ritchie Bennett 67, 7) Byron Harrison 6. Subs not used: Andy Haworth, Lindon Meikle, Akil Wright, Myles Anderson.

YELLOW CARDS: L Hughes 26, Williams 39.

STAR MAN: Danny Livesey (Barrow) The defender wasn’t about to let the club’s 15-game unbeaten run go without a fight. Another performance full of heart and he was excellent at both ends of the pitch.

Referee: Neil Hair.

Attendance: 1,588.