Bennett nets first Barrow AFC goal as Bluebirds draw at Torquay

TORQUAY UNITED 1 BARROW AFC 1

SUBSTITUTE Richie Bennett proved to be a late hero for Barrow, as he earned the Bluebirds a point against manager Paul Cox’s former side Torquay United with a 90th-minute strike, writes STEVE HARRIS.

Brett Williams’ 39th minute effort looked to have been enough to secure victory for the hosts, but Bennett had other ideas as he struck in the final minute of normal time with his first goal for the club after his summer move from Northwich Victoria.

Cox made one change to the side that lost to Tranmere at Prenton Park in midweek, as Euan Murray came into the side at the expense of the injured Danny Livesey.

The Bluebirds found themselves under pressure in the opening minutes as keeper Joel Dixon turned a free-kick from Gulls forward Dan Sparkes behind for a corner after five minutes.

Torquay threatened again two minutes later when a long throw from their American goalkeeper Brendan Moore released Sam Chaney, who jinked his way through the Barrow defence before seeing his shot blocked. The rebound then fell to Luke Young, who blasted over from distance.

In the 11th minute, Williams cut inside from the right and looked well placed to score an opener for the Gulls, but he lost his footing and Murray was able to clear the danger for the Bluebirds.

Barrow’s first real chance came on 16 minutes when a deflected cross from Liam Hughes was parried away by Moore before being cleared to safety by Torquay’s former Manchester United defender Sean McGinty.

Play was briefly held up in the 23rd minute following a collision between Murray and Nick Anderton so the pair could both receive treatment.

On 38 minutes, Ross Hannah flashed an effort wide as both sides looked to carve out an opener.

A minute later, the deadlock was broken when Williams cut through the Bluebirds’ defence before slotting home to open his account for the Gulls.

In the second half, Alex-Ray Harvey looked well placed to equalise for Barrow but he was denied by a timely block from Young.

Two minutes later, Jordan Williams broke clear of the Gulls’ back line, but he could only manage to force a routine save from Torquay custodian Moore.

On the hour-mark, Dixon was called into action again as he parried away a close-range effort from Sparkes.

Cox then looked to add more pace and trickery to his side, as wide man Lindon Meikle entered the fray in place of Paul Turnbull.

Four minutes later, Cox made his second substitution of the afternoon as he sent on Bennett in place of Hannah.

In the 71st minute, Bennett cut in from the right and looked to be through on goal – only to be denied by the reflexes of Moore.

Four minutes later, the Bluebirds were awarded a free-kick after Williams made a bursting run from inside his own half – only to be felled by Torquay’s Ben Gerring, which prompted referee David Rock to issue the Gulls’ defender with a yellow card.

Hughes took the resulting free-kick and narrowly missed the target, as he agonisingly cleared the cross bar.

On 76 minutes, Cox made his third and final change of the afternoon as brought Andy Haworth on for the hardworking Byron Harrison up front.

On 90 minutes, Barrow finally scored an equaliser as Bennett found the back of the net with an effort that deflected off Gerring to ensure that the 68 away fans who had travelled to watch the Bluebirds make their longest journey of their Vanarama National League campaign went home with something to smile about.