EMIRATES FA CUP FIRST ROUND RESULT

TAUNTON TOWN 2 (Wright 14, Villis 37) BARROW AFC 2 (Harrison 35pen, Bennett 43)

IN the end, Barrow are in the draw for the second round of the Emirates FA Cup – but they had to do it the hard way and will be mighty pleased to head back up the M5 after a dramatic day in front of the Final Score cameras in Somerset.

Bluebirds boss Paul Cox described his side as giving a “sloppy performance”, but they came from behind twice and played for almost an hour with 10 men, following the dismissal of Liam Hughes immediately after the second equaliser.

What was a frantic first half could have seen AFC take the lead inside 30 seconds when Jordan Williams’s pace took him clear, but he was denied by home keeper Lloyd Irish, who cut the angle.

Then, after burly home defender Ed Palmer had a free-kick held by Joel Dixon, Ryan Yates tested Irish at the other end.

The sell-out crowd were quick to ratchet up the atmosphere and the free-kicks came in a cluster, with Palmer’s effort nodded on by the huge Matt Wright, then Jordan Rogers was put into space, only for Dixon to go full length and push his effort round the post.

Barrow had been surprised by the home side’s endeavours and it was no surprise when the Peacocks took the lead on 16 minutes.

Ryan Batley’s inswinging corner was met by Wright, whose clinical header gave Dixon no chance.

Seconds later, it could have been 2-0 as Wright brought a stunning save from Dixon with a volley, but Barrow withstood that onslaught and began to pressure Taunton, with the impressive Moussa Diarra heading wide.

It was the gangly Frenchman who got the Bluebirds back on level terms just past the half-hour when he was shoved in the back by Batley and Byron Harrison gratefully equalised from the penalty spot.

Taunton came straight back with Danny Livesey just scrambling a Batley corner over the bar but the respite was short as the second corner was not cleared and Matt Villis poked it home to send the home crowd into raptures.

AFC regrouped and, from yet another corner, Richie Bennett and Hughes were involved as the ball bounced down and despite the efforts of Irish, it ended up in the net with claims of handball dismissed by referee Mr Hicks.

In the celebrations, Hughes was involved in an incident with Lloyd Irish and, after a long consultation with both linesman and the fourth official, Mr Hicks sent off Hughes for a simulated head-butt, leaving Barrow to play more than a half with 10 men.

A downpour during the interval slickened up the pitch and the 10 men took the game to Taunton, with Yates wide with one effort.

The winning goal would not come, with Bennett having a rare tussle with Owen Irish, who gave him a good six inches in height.

Wright went down in the penalty area but was denied a spot-kick, then Williams hit one from distance which went a yard over as Barrow dominated.

Taunton were always in the game and skipper Brett Trowbridge had a header saved, then Diarra had his half-volley deflected over with 15 minutes left.

Palmer’s 40-yard free-kick was held on the line by Dixon and Barrow were happy to bring the Peacocks back to Holker Street on Tuesday week, with all eyes on the draw tonight.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ryan Batley, Owen Irish, Ed Palmer, Matt Villis, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge, Matt Wright, Jordan Rogers, Ollie Chamberlain.

Substitutes: Craig Veal, Josh Searle, Adam Kelly, Matt Buse, Michael Meaker, Callum Martindale, James Regan.

Barrow AFC: Joel Dixon, Shaun Beeley, Nick Anderton, Danny Livesey, Moussa Diarra, Alex-Ray Harvey, Liam Hughes, Ryan Yates, Byron Harrison, Richie Bennett, Jordan Williams.

Substitutes: Andy Haworth, Ross Hannah, Paul Turnbull, Lindon Meikle, Akil Wright, Myles Anderson, Andy Coughlin.

Attendance: 2,297.