HARRY Panayiotou was the man who kept his nerve amid the chaos at Solihull on Tuesday – and he believes the result there can only make Barrow AFC stronger.

Panayiotou netted his first goal for the Bluebirds in dramatic circumstances as they snatched a 3-3 draw in the Midlands, and hopes there will be more to come at Dover tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Having led 2-0 at half-time through goals from Dave Nieskens and Dan Jones, Barrow found themselves 3-2 down deep into injury time following the dismissal of Jimmy Dunne and a subsequent horror spell that saw them concede three goals in 13 minutes.

But when Moussa Diarra was adjudged to have been fouled in the Moors area in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, Panayiotou was the man who picked up the ball, put it on the spot and stroked home with confidence for the equaliser.

The St Kitts and Nevis international is hopeful the strength and mentality shown in that late comeback can be built upon in the games ahead, with a tough trip to third-placed Dover tomorrow sure to provide a stern test.

“I think we’ve shown character, and we kept going on Tuesday,” said the 22-year-old Leicester City youth product, who joined Barrow last season, but featured only rarely from the bench. “I’m sure we can build off that result and it can only make us stronger.

“Everyone has to get their minds straight. Tuesday is done now, and we’ve just got to make it right. If we work hard, then I’m sure we can get some points at Dover.”

Panayiotou has come off the bench for all of his Barrow appearances so far this term, and was given half-an-hour on Tuesday in place of Dan Cockerline – the man chosen to start in the absence of Adi Yussuf, who could be back tomorrow from his hamstring strain. Now he is hoping he can be given a start, with confidence building.

“Last year was a difficult season for me, but I’m headstrong and it didn’t frighten me,” he said. “Now, this is a big season, and we’re three games unbeaten, so we just have to build from there. I’m confident now, and hopefully I can get more game-time.

“I’d like to think a start was just around the corner. It’s whether the gaffer picks me and what team the gaffer picks. I will just come on and do my job – if it’s for 20 minutes, then I have to do my job in those 20 minutes.”

As for his cool penalty strike on Tuesday night, when he sent Moors goalkeeper Connal Trueman the wrong way and sent the travelling support wild, it was not a situation that was alien to him.

He was faced with a similar position when he played on loan at Raith Rovers against Rangers – when he missed. There was no danger of that happening this time around.

Asked about his maiden AFC goal, he said: “It feels great. I was confident, so I picked up the ball and took it, and I was just happy to get off the mark – but more importantly I was happy to get a point.

“Straight away I was thinking ‘this is mine’. I was confident, as you could see when I was running up, as soon as I saw it was a penalty, I just went straight for it.

“I played against Rangers when I was on loan in Scotland. I took a last-minute penalty then, and I missed it. I knew I had to put this right, because I know what the feeling is when you miss, that’s why I was so confident to take it.”