David Dunn admitted a few “choice words” shook Barrow into life as the Bluebirds ended their penalties hoodoo.

The manager said he delivered an uncompromising half-time message in AFC’s EFL Trophy game against Leeds’ Under-21s.

It saw Barrow stage a much-improved second half performance as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

New boy Chris Taylor then scored the winning penalty to seal a 4-3 shoot-out win and a bonus point in the group stage tie - a welcome outcome after shoot-out defeats to Derby and Blackpool earlier in the campaign.

Dunn said he is not the sort of manager who will regularly unleash in the dressing room but felt it was necessary on Monday night.

He said: “There were a few choice words at half-time.

“It’s not something I will always do. I can rant and rave, and throw teapots when I need to, but I don’t feel the modern player is really very receptive towards that.

“You could argue that’s wrong but rather than shouting and bawling I’d rather give solutions to try and help them at half-time.

“Yes, they needed to hear some home truths, which they did, but I thought the character they showed to bounce back in the second half was really pleasing.”

Dunn admitted the changes he made – with 10 alterations to Saturday’s side against Carlisle – had given him some food for thought after AFC fought back.

Sub Dior Angus and Jason Taylor were on target to haul Barrow back into the tie after a rapid start from the visitors.

Leeds were also helped by some Bluebirds errors and Dunn wants his side to eradicate such moments from their game.

He said: “The first half performance…we looked a threat going forward, to be fair, but in any game of football you cannot give the opposition a two-goal start.

“Teams should have to work really hard to score. We have to work hard to score our goals, so we can’t be giving goals away. It’s important we don’t do that and that we’re hard to beat.”

Barrow, though, were a different proposition particularly in the second half with Angus taking just three minutes to score after coming off the bench.

Experienced midfield man Taylor then headed the hosts level.

“The flipside [of the first half mistakes] was that, attacking-wise, I hate to think how many attempts at goal we must have had,” Dunn said.

“There is still a bit of brushing up to do but certainly the second half performance was miles better. I was very pleased with some performances out there and would like to give a special mention to Yoan Zouma and Chris Taylor.

“They came in without having played much football recently or had much training, but they were excellent.”

Taylor’s penalty won the shoot-out in sudden death after keeper Josh Lillis made three saves, with Jason Taylor and Sam Hird unsuccessful from the spot for Barrow.