Boreham Wood 1 Barrow AFC 1

In what was a clash between the two in-form teams in the National League, Barrow AFC had to settle for a point after Boreham Wood came back strongly against them in the second half.

Given the hosts’ performance, it’s more of a point gained that two dropped, and the fact that results elsewhere yet again went the Bluebirds’ way makes that case all the stronger.

Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Solihull Moors, which is the first of two games in hand, AFC are now four points clear of the chasing pack and haven’t lost in their last 16 games in all competitions.

That record came under threat at Meadow Park, where the Wood showed why they are unbeaten in 13 league games themselves, as they responded impressively to a composed first half display from Ian Evatt’s side.

Josh Kay had them ahead in Hertfordshire, but Tyrone Marsh’s goal earned Boreham Wood a share of the spoils they deserved, as they made Barrow weather a storm.

Barrow made one enforced change from the team that defeated Bromley the previous week as Lewis Hardcastle came into the midfield for Tom White, who had been suffering with a chest infection.

Dior Angus had the first threatening effort after 13 minutes when his shot across goal was pushed away by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, despite it not appearing to be heading on target.

John Rooney then had his first sighter from a free kick when he bent his effort to the left of the ‘D’ just over the bar.

The Wood then had their first really dangerous moment when Marsh was put in behind down the left by Sorba Thomas, with Joel Dixon doing very well to cling on to his low cross.

Ashmore was called into action when he kept out Brad Barry’s shot at his near post, after the wing-back had been picked out by an excellent pass from Angus.

The better chances were coming the Bluebirds’ way and they came close again when Quigley’s shot from the edge of the area was kept out by Ashmore.

The visitors’ best spell of the game soon had its reward, though, when Kay advanced into the area, after being found in space by Jason Taylor, before passing a measured finish into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Being in front at half-time was no less than what AFC deserved, but their lead was threatened by Wood’s top scorer Kabongo Tshimanga, who was denied by an excellent block by Matt Platt.

Thomas was the hosts’ brightest performer and he thankfully shot straight at Dixon after cutting inside past Barry down the left.

Tshimanga was quiet in the first half but the Wood’s top scorer was posing more of a threat after the break and he was put in behind by Kieran Murtagh’s ball over the top, with Dixon out quickly to block his attempted lob.

However, the pressure was building from the hosts and it paid off halfway through the second half when Murtagh got in behind down the right and his low cross was slammed in at the back post by Marsh.

It was the first time since the turn of the year that Barrow had conceded and for once they were struggling to get out of their half, with the Wood threatening to turn the match on its head.

A superb move led to wing-back Kane Smith playing a one-two with former Bluebird Adi Yussuf, but his composure deserted him at the last as he blazed over the bar.

One of the misses of the season then followed, as Marsh beat Dixon to Yussuf’s through ball to chip the ball across the box, only for Tshimanga to blaze over an open goal.

Having been under the cosh, the Bluebirds almost snatched it in the third minute of stoppage time, as Rooney’s free kick from just outside the box came off the top of the bar.

Boreham Wood (3-4-1-2): Ashmore, Champion, Fyfield, Ilesanmi, Smith, Ricketts, Murtagh, Thomas, Mingoia (Yussuf 68), Marsh, Tshimanga.

Subs not used: Woodards, Stephens, McDonnell, Shakes.

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Hird, Platt, Brough, Barry, Rooney, Taylor, Kay, Hardcastle (White 68), Angus (Dyson 73), Quigley (Harrison 77).

Subs not used: Brown, Hindle.

Referee: Adrian Quelch

Attendance: 1,099 (238 away)

Bluebirds star man: Josh Kay