After an enthralling 80 minutes at Rating Lane last Saturday, Barrow Island were denied at the death in their 32-30 defeat against joint leaders Ince Rose Bridge in the Second Division of the National Conference League.

Island flew out of the traps, stunning the Wigan outfit by racing into a 24-0 lead after only 20 minutes on the clock.

However, on 62 minutes and having failed to add to their tally they found themselves trailing 24-26. In a dramatic finish, Dan Wright scored on his first start in over 14 months to seemingly snatch the win for the hosts.

However, Wright then blotted his copy book when he went high on centre Jordan Bakley. From the tap, former Raider Jack Morrison drove for the line.

Island stood firm but from the play the ball, swift hands saw impressive full back Dan Dainty cross out wide to level the match before stand-off Dan Cassidy kept his cool to send the ball high and between the posts for victory.

Island sustained early pressure from the Bridge and on 12 minutes went ahead through Sam Jones, who was on the end of a long ball from Jake Stockdale. He also added the goal 6-0

On their second raid, the scoreline doubled when good approach work from Shane Sanderson, Brandon Corrie and Stockdale enabled Allister McEwan to score by the posts.

And when Josh Banham was impeded in a tackle, Island from the tap penalty kept the ball alive and a neat overhead ball from Corrie found Stockdale who touched down, Jones tagging on the extra two points. Island went further ahead after a good run down the touchline from Joe Mallinson, from where Corrie burrowed his way over, with Jones' two-pointer making it 24-0.

However, poor defending from the Island allowed the Bridge to open their account with Brad Smith strolling over for a try, converted by Cassidy, before the same player nipped over again to make it 24-10 at half-time.

After Morrison had crashed over to reduce the gap further, Island were now back peddling and in for a try he converte himself was Cassidy who prised open a gap to dot the ball down before landing a touchline goal for 24-20.

The Bridge were buzzing and it was no surprise when they went ahead, as Cassidy chipped over the cover and regathered, sending winger Parr to the line from where his inside ball found hooker Matt McDonald who scored, Cassidy’s kick giving the visitors the lead for the first time.

Island had it all to do and they hit back with seven minutes remaining when Ian Irvine sent Wright crashing over for Jones to convert, 30-26.

The hosts couldn’t hold out, though. Jones made a good 40 yards clearing his own line but got tangled up in the tackle, the ball came loose and a knock-on was ruled.

From the scrum Wright went in high and from the tap, Dainty went in at the corner and Cassidy’s goal sealed the win.