Barrow AFC were narrowly defeated by a late goal from Blackpool’s Matty Virtue - in what was the Bluebirds’ first big test of their pre-season campaign.

In yesterday afternoon’s clash with the Tangerines, it was the home side who took the lead before Dior Angus levelled things up in the second period.

Barrow had chances to win it late on at Bloomfield Road, however it was the home side who picked up a narrow victory as Virtue sprung the offside trap late on.

David Dunn named two trialists in his starting line-up, with the Bluebirds looking to pick up another positive result on the back of a 4-0 victory over Holker Old Boys at the weekend.

It was the hosts who dominated the opening exchanges, without carving out any clear cut chances.

Grant Ward flashed an effort wide of Joel Dixon’s goal, before Lewis Hardcastle came close to opening the scoring up the other end, but his free kick was saved by the home stopper Chris Maxwell.

Barrow were competitive throughout the first period against their League One opponents, with Jack Hindle also going close with a left footed effort.

At the opposite end, the Barrow backline had Dixon to thank for keeping the scores level, as CJ Hamilton found space before being thwarted by the visiting keeper.

The Tangerines were looking dangerous and they did manage to get their noses in front eight minutes before the break, when Jordan Thorniley climbed highest to head in an Oliver Sarkic corner.

Dunn’s men finished the half strong with Scott Quigley, Barrow’s former Blackpool striker, seeing a shot blocked before Morgan Penfold was denied when he went one on one with the keeper.

In typical pre-season fashion both managers made numerous changes, with Dunn throwing on a number of other trialists to get a good look at them against tough opposition.

The start of the second period was edgy, but with 20 minutes remaining the visitors got themselves back on level terms.

Jason Taylor worked the ball to Angus in the box, and he in turn found space before sliding the ball past Maxwell and into the corner of the net.

Within minutes Angus had a chance to make if two when he worked another shooting opportunity, but this time the keeper denied him.

Then the home side fired back, before they found the winner with eight minutes left to play.

Virtue kept himself onside and managed to beat the keeper and hand Blackpool the victory in a tight encounter.