BARROW AFC’s week went from bad to worse as they lost 1-0 at Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Harrogate won the battle of the League Two newbies as Barrow’s wait for a first Football League win in 48 years went on.

Jack Muldoon scored the first Football League goal at Wetherby Road, his fourth of the season, to condemn the Bluebirds to their third successive defeat on the road.

Barrow’s preparation for the game was far from ideal after manager David Dunn tested positive for Covid-19.

Dunn became symptomatic earlier in the week and immediately self-isolated.

Assistant Rob Kelly also had to self isolate in line with government guidelines.

Veteran defender Sam Hird took charge of the side with the help of coach Craig Rutherford.

There were two changes from the side which drew against Leyton Orient last time out.

Matty Platt, making his first appearance of the season, and Kgose Ntlhe both returned from injury as Mike Jones and Dior Angus dropped to the bench.

Muldoon was a thorn in the visitors’ side throughout the encounter and showed the sort of sharpness Barrow are missing in the final third.

The Bluebirds started brightly, with Patrick Brough and Yoan Zouma both having early efforts.

Lewis Hardcastle was forced off injured after just 19 minutes.

And moments later the visitors were undone by an optimistic up-field ball.

Muldoon got in behind to latch on to Will Smith’s hoof and expertly fired past helpless Joel Dixon from wide of the box.

It was almost two but Smith failed to hit the target after being found by George Thomson.

The Bluebirds finished the half just like they started. They should have gone level but Josh Kay was well kept out by the hosts’ stopper James Belshaw.

Seconds later Chris Taylor failed to hit the target after being picked out by Kay.

After the break it was Dixon who was tested to deny Lloyd Kelly’s strike - with Jon Stead unable to capitalise on the rebound to double the hosts’ lead.

Just before the hour Barrow were hit with another injury woe as Tom Beadling went off.

Scorer Muldoon was a real nuisance against the tiring Barrow defenders.

But Dixon was once again called upon to keep the visitors in the hunt, making a super stop at the near post - the 26-year-old doing well to deny Muldoon a second after substitute Brendan Kiernan prospered down the left.

Muldoon should then have put the game to bed after getting in behind the backline but fired wide.

Dixon’s duel with Muldoon had one final battle as the striker got away on the counter, with the stopper producing another fine low save.

Barrow finished the game with ten as the returning Nthle hobbled off deep into stoppage time.

Late on, Dior Angus rattled the side netting as Barrow’s last glimmer of hope fluttered away.