Harrogate 4 Barrow AFC 2

It’s now four defeats in a row, in all competitions, for Barrow AFC and their fragile confidence was on full show as they simply collapsed in the second half at Harrogate Town.

Manager Ian Evatt would never have foreseen what was to come with his side 1-0 ahead at half-time, on merit, thanks to John Rooney’s fourth goal of the season. The defensive jitters that affected them so badly in the last two weeks had also gone away, only for them to return with a vengeance in a mad spell that saw Harrogate score three goals in just over five minutes.

The Bluebirds remain an enigma this season. As shown in the first 45 minutes, they’re capable of producing some very good football, but they remain liable to fall apart.

This has to stop quickly if they’re not to be left looking over their shoulders in the National League again, after their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Winger Astley Mulholland was given his first start by Evatt, who made three changes from the defeat against Barnet last Saturday, with Kyle Jameson and Lee Molyneux also coming in.

Luke Burgess, Erico Sousa and Brian Wilson were the trio who dropped to the bench, with the Bluebirds hoping a fresh approach would bring an improved display.

Harrogate raced out of the traps and created their first big chance after 35 seconds, with Liam Kitching being found in space before being denied by Andy Firth’s legs.

From their first corner, Town made it clear they were going to try and play on Barrow’s recent struggles at set-pieces, with towering striker Mark Beck glancing George Thomson’s kick wide.

AFC were causing a few problems themselves in the early stages with Rooney bending a free kick in a promising position over.

Having seen off their hosts’ initial burst and grown their way into the game, the visitors took the lead on 32 minutes when Josh Kay’s pass meant for Tyler Smith was cleared as far as Rooney, who took time to steady himself before his deflected effort looped in.

Molyneux then galloped forward down the left, but chose to shoot instead of looking for Smith and his shot was diverted wide by Harrogate defender Callum Howe.

Barrow deserved their half-time lead, but it was a cruel blow that deprived them of it in the 53rd minute as Joe Leesley sent in a dangerous cross from the left that Jameson couldn’t get out the way of as he bundled the ball into his own net.

From this point the wheels well and truly fell off as Harrogate went ahead through a terrific finish into the top corner from Jack Muldoon that left Firth only able to stand and watch.

While Barrow were still reeling from going behind, Falkingham intercepted in acres of space before advancing and shooting low past Firth from just outside the box.

With the game suddenly racing away from his side Evatt made a triple substitution with Jack Hindle, Luke Burgess and Erico Sousa replacing Mulholland, Kay and Molynuex in the 62nd minute.

But within five minutes, the match was over as a contest. Yes, it was a good free kick delivery from Leesley, but the marking to allow Beck to slam in from close range was simply awful.

Firth then prevented it from becoming five by producing an excellent save to push Jack Emmett’s curling effort over the bar and at this point, the final whistle couldn’t come soon enough.

Hindle almost pulled one back after being played in by Burgess as his shot was deflected narrowly over. But Barrow did give the score a little more respectability with 13 minutes left.

It came from a great free kick from Rooney which was flicked in by Smith at the near post, but his lack of celebration told a story.