VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

Bromley 4 (G Porter 9, Turgott 22 Sho-Silva 35, 85) Barrow AFC 1 (Bennett 18)

THE Bluebirds’ promotion hopes ended in indignity as they were taken apart by Bromley, writes SAM ELLIOTT.

Although not officially ruled out by manager Paul Cox, this was the end of the play-off road for Barrow as they fell to pieces in their own box.

A damaging first half means they must now win their final three games and hope for a miracle collapse from both Aldershot and Dover.

The reality is that Barrow, although much improved this season, haven’t quite been good enough.

Signs that they can mix it, yes, but a timid one-point return from their three April games suggests the business-end of the season has been as high-pressured as Lord Sugar’s boardroom.

Their usually strong and well-disciplined back-line was picked apart by mid-table Bromley and made to look second rate.

Up front, Cox’s side looked void of ideas and creativity.

How they missed striker Byron Harrison, who could return against North Ferriby on Monday, and Shaun Tuton’s energy.

Breaking their record Conference points haul maybe, but this display demonstrated an overhaul is required over the close-season – and there could be some surprises.

Barrow offered false intentions as they threatened from the first minute,

Jordan Williams unleashed a rocket from nowhere, which shaved some paint off of Ross Flitney’s crossbar.

What Cox did not need was for his players to press the self-destruct button. They didn’t press it as such, they thumped on it until it nearly came off.

There was hopeless defending from Blair Turgott’s corner as the visiting defenders decided to give striker George Porter five yards of space. A simple guided header into the net and Barrow were chasing their tail from the ninth minute of the match.

They should have been 2-0 down when Jon Flatt pushed a straightforward Tobi Sho-Silva shot on to his crossbar. In fairness, the keeper reacted well when his defenders did not and got back to keep the ball out.

Barrow needed something to relieve the pressure and they soon got it.

Williams’ run into the box was crudely ended by Connor Dymond, who was lucky to see only yellow.

Richie Bennett knew he had to score – and did, low to keeper Ross Flitney’s left for 1-1.

More penalty drama arrived soon after.

Pacey Turgott got away down the left and Shaun Beeley decided a challenge was in order inside the box. There were no complaints when the whistle went again. The England C international picked himself up from the floor to slam home the spot-kick.

With so many giants, it was unacceptable for Barrow to lose another goal to a set-piece in the first half.

Failing to clear Turgott’s lofted centre twice, Lee Minshull nodded into the danger zone and Sho-Silva applied a simple finish.

A tall order before the game started for Barrow, the size of the promotion task was now on Everest scale.

Bennett, frustrated not only by his side’s lack of ability inside their own box but also by the free-kick award which brought about Bromley’s third, was booked for an off-the-ball incident in the final minute of a dire first 45 minutes for the visitors.

No urgency arrived after the re-start and Ross Hannah and Inih Effiong were thrown on with an hour gone to try and bring some life to their game.

The second half lacked quality, but man-of-the-match Turgott was determined to find some.

Cutting in with class from the left, he drew it three defenders before Flatt produced a quality to save to keep his fierce drive from finding the top corner.

It was game over five minutes from the end.

After more loose passing, Shaun McLoughlin took advantage and fed the ball perfectly to Sho-Silva who buried the chance – and all-but nailed shut Barrow’s play-off coffin.

MATCH STATS

Bromley (4-4-2): Ross Flitney; Jordan Wynter, Jack Holland, Lee Minshull, Daniel Johnson; George Porter (Alan Dunne 70) Connor Dymond, Jordan Higgs, Blair Turgott, Shane McLoughlin (Bradley Goldberg 89) Tobi Sho-Silva.

Substitutes not used: Ryan Hall, Shabaz Omofe, James Daly.

Yellow cards: Dymond, Minshull, Dunn.

Barrow AFC (4-4-1-1): Jon Flatt 6; Shaun Beeley 5, Moussa Diarra 6, Danny Livesey 5, Nick Anderton 6; Liam Hughes 5 (Ross Hannah 61) Jack Thomas 6, Alex-Ray Harvey 6, Lindon Meikle 5 (Akil Wright 74) Jordan Williams 6; Richie Bennett 6 (Inih Effiong 61).

Substitutes not used: Dan Rowe, Matt Platt.

Yellow cards: Bennett, Thomas.

Referee: Craig Hicks.

Attendance: 1,049.