Maidenhead United 0 Barrow AFC 4

Barrow AFC picked up their biggest win under manager Ian Evatt as they dismantled Maidenhead United on their own turf to pull further clear at the top of the National League.

Based on this performance, the Bluebirds are going to take some dislodging, as they made themselves at home at York Road, where they were in control from start to finish.

AFC could even afford to be greedy and still say ‘it could have been more’ as a second goal in Berkshire took a while in coming, but a 12th win 14 league games never looked in doubt.

Evatt’s side have become a side no-one enjoys welcoming to their patch in the last three months and this was as comprehensive as it gets in what had looked a tricky fixture against unpredictable opponents.

The good news didn’t stop at the final whistle, either, as a late equaliser for Yeovil at Bromley meant Barrow are now three points ahead of second-placed Solihull in the table.

Just one change was made from the team that drew at home to Chorley on Tuesday night, as Tom White came back into midfield for Jason Taylor.

The match was being played on a better surface than in the corresponding fixture last season and it was Barrow who had the first half-chance as Scott Quigley’s shot on the turn was held by Chris Dunn in the Maidenhead goal.

The Bluebirds’ composed start was rewarded with an opening goal after 12 minutes when a ricochet fell for Dior Angus, who drove into the area before squaring for Quigley to make no mistake, as he passed it under the ‘keeper.

A magnificent pass from John Rooney set Josh Kay on his way soon afterwards and his dangerous low ball from the left just evaded Quigley and Angus in the middle.

Rooney then put Angus in behind down the right and his low ball was deflected into the path of Kay at the back post and he was denied from point-blank range by Dunn.

Joel Dixon was then called into action for the first time after 27 minutes when he held Josh Kelly’s effort before Dunn was almost caught out at his near post by Brad Barry, only just pushing his shot behind.

The Magpies’ stopper was keeping the hosts in the picture, though, and he then did well to tip Quigley’s strike over after the goalscorer had been played in by Lewis Hardcastle.

The lead really should have been doubled before half-time, when White’s pass put Angus through one-on-one, but his tame effort was comfortably blocked by Dunn.

Having been in such control, the Bluebirds will have been slightly frustrated to only by 1-0 up and another chance went begging four minutes after the restart.

Hardcastle strode towards the area before unselfishly playing in Angus, who once again was denied by Dunn when he really should have scored.

But the 26-year-old finally had his goal in the 54th minute when he arrived at the back post to tap in Quigley’s low ball across goal, after his strike partner had beaten Alan Massey all ends up.

Going 2-0 behind finally fired Maidenhead up and they had a big chance to pull one back when Jake Cassidy headed Kelly’s corner back across, but sub Danny Whitehall nodded over from close range.

But the match was then killed off as a contest when Dunn was unable to claim Rooney’s corner and Patrick Brough was on hand to force in his first goal for the Bluebirds.

It gave the score a more realistic look, given AFC’s dominance and the only task that remained was trying to register four goals for the first time since Evatt took charge last year.

Kay had a chance to make that a reality when he fired over the bar but that landmark was finally reached with just three minutes left.

Quigley picked up a loose ball before playing a lovely pass through for Olly Dyson, who produced a clinical finish into the bottom corner to round off a comprehensive victory.

Maidenhead United (4-3-2-1): Dunn, Clerima, Davies, Massey, Steer, Sheckleford, Upward, Smile, Akintunde (Whitehall 45), Kelly (Mensah 84), Cassidy.

Subs not used: Grant, Sekajja.

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Hird, Platt, Brough, Barry, Rooney, White (Dyson 79), Kay, Hardcastle (Taylor 68), Angus (Harrison 79), Quigley.

Subs not used: Brown, Hindle.

Referee: Richard Hulme

Bluebirds star man: Scott Quigley