VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE

LINCOLN CITY 1 (Arnold 33) BARROW AFC 2 (Bennett 14, Harrison 86)

A LATE header from Byron Harrison ensured Barrow moved into the National League top four – one place below opponents Lincoln, who fell from the summit as a result of this fine Bluebirds victory, writes ALAN JOHNSON.

The goal, Harrison’s sixth of the season – and in as many games – proved the difference between the two sides and took Barrow’s unbeaten run to half-a-dozen matches. It was the game’s first real opportunity that saw the visitors take the lead, one that came out of nothing.

Loan midfielder Ryan Yates collected a loose ball on the right flank and floated the ball into the area, where Richie Bennett was on hand to leap above Bradley Wood and direct a header low to Paul Farman’s right.

Despite his despairing dive, Farman was unable to get a hand to it. Cue jubilation among the 102 Barrow supporters behind the goal.

Lincoln looked for an immediate response, but Matt Rhead, who was linked with a move to Holker Street throughout the summer, saw his effort well blocked by Danny Livesey moments later.

The Imps did find an equaliser on 33 minutes, however, through Nathan Arnold.

A swift break down the right from Harry Anderson saw the City loanee cross for Arnold, who was twice denied by Joel Dixon at the back post, only for the ball to rebound off the winger’s knee and over the line. After the break, Bennett almost immediately capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Farman and Luke Waterfall, only to strike well wide, perhaps caught by surprise at his fortune.

Barrow went close again on the hour, this time in the most unusual of circumstances.

A long free-kick from Dixon in his own area had Farman scrambling backwards to tip over for a corner, as the ball almost found a way under the crossbar. Next, Farman was on hand to deny Yates, whose swirling strike from 20 yards was bound for the top corner.

From the resultant corner, a nasty clash of heads between Moussa Diarra and Macauley Bonne saw the latter come off worse, forcing his afternoon to end prematurely. On 83 minutes, it was Lincoln’s turn to attack, with substitute Alan Power testing Dixon with a low drive that the Barrow goalkeeper did well to palm away.

The hosts went even closer a minute later when Wood found Arnold inside the penalty area, but his bouncing shot was brilliantly headed off the line by Yates.

With little time to catch breath, the ball was played out to Jordan Williams at the other end and his cross found Harrison, who stooped low at the near post to head through Farman’s legs.

Following lengthy treatments to Bennett and Bonne earlier in the half, the fourth official indicated there would be seven minutes of injury time, much to the dismay of the travelling fans.

There was to be no cause for concern, however, as Lincoln posed little threat ensuring that Paul Cox’s men came away with all three points for the second time in week.

Lincoln City: Paul Farman, Bradley Wood, Luke Waterfall, Sean Raggett, Sam Habergham, Harry Anderson (Jack Muldoon 73), Alex Woodyard, Tom Champion (Alan Power 68), Nathan Arnold, Macauley Bonne (Adam Marriott 78), Matt Rhead.

Substitutes Not Used: Terry Hawkridge, Lee Beevers.

Barrow AFC: Joel Dixon, Dominic Smith, Danny Livesey, Moussa Diarra, Nick Anderton, Liam Hughes, Ryan Yates, Alex-Ray Harvey, Jordan Williams (Lindon Meikle 88), Richie Bennett (Ross Hannah 80), Byron Harrison.

Substitutes Not Used: Andy Haworth, Paul Turnbull, Euan Murray.