A 91ST-MINUTE strike from substitute Richie Bennett gave Barrow back-to-back wins as they dented North Ferriby United’s 100 per cent home record, writes MARK CHESTNEY.

Bennett had come on midway through the second half and connected to a Jordan Williams long throw to fire the ball past Ferriby keeper Rory Watson.

This game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw before the late strike, but in fairness to the home side they matched the Bluebirds in all departments but couldn’t find a way through.

It was a defensively solid performance from the visitors who had Andy Parry, Ross Hannah and Williams all cautioned.

Chances in this game were certainly at a premium with Mark Gray marshalling the Ferriby defence and Barrow skipper Danny Livesey of the same ilk for the visitors.

The first real opportunity of the game came on 19 minutes when a great ball by Barrow’s Hannah saw Byron Harrison one on one with Watson but a poor effort saw him shoot wide.

Ferriby responded just before the half hour when their man of the match Curtis Bateson put in a cross in front of the Barrow goal but Danny Emerton failed to connect.

The lead up to the break saw penalty shouts from both sides but nothing given by the referee.

Firstly Ferriby were awarded a free-kick for Moussa Diarra pulling on Danny Clarke’s shirt and as the ball went into the area Clarke went down. Then, almost immediately, down the other end Hannah tipped the ball past Watson and went down and to his disbelief, no spot kick was given.

The home side came out stronger in the second half as the top class battle between Diarra, later substituted due to injury and Clarke continued.

Bluebirds manager Paul Cox made a double switch on 62 minutes to bring on even more height through Bennett and also Euan Murray.

Barrow had another penalty shout turned down just after when Harrison went down in the box before they had another chance against determined hosts.

Clarke fouled Paul Turnbull some 28 yards out for Liam Hughes to dip a free-kick over the four man wall but just wide.

Towards the end Ferriby had a chance to take the lead when a dangerous Simon Russell cross had to be dealt with by Barrow full-back and man of the match Nick Anderton.

Bateson then had a shot blocked by Livesey as the visitors held firm.

Just when the game looked to be heading towards one point each came the goal which sees Barrow up to seventh in the table.

Ferriby failed to deal with the Williams long throw for Bennett to turn and fire the ball home and snatch the three points.

NORTH FERRIBY UNITED: (4-1-4-1) Rory Watson, Ben Middleton, Taron Hare, Mark Gray, Jake Skelton, Simon Russell, Danny Clarke ©, Connor Oliver, Ryan Kendall (Connor Robinson 70), Curtis Bateson, Danny Emerton Subs not used: AlfonsFosu-Mensah, Vinny Mukendi, Ryan Fallowfield, Sam Topliss.

BARROW AFC: (4-4-2) Joel Dixon 7; Andy Parry 7, Danny Livesey © 7, Moussa Diarra 7 (Euan Murray (62) 7, Nick Anderton 8; Liam Hughes 7, Paul Turnbull 8, Ryan Yates 7, Ross Hannah 7 (Richard Bennett (62) 8), Byron Harrison 7 (Andy Haworth (80) 7), Jordan Williams 8 Subs not used: Alex-Ray Harvey, Lindon Meikle

Referee: Stephen Ross.

Half-time: 0-0.

Bookings: Andy Parry (Barrow), Ross Hannah (Barrow), Jordan Williams (Barrow)

Weather: Warm and sunny.

Attendance: 581.

Man of the Match: Nick Anderton (Barrow).