Heartbreak in stoppage time for Barrow at Bolton

Gutted Barrow suffered a painful stoppage-time defeat at the hands of Bolton.

The game was destined to end in a dour goalless draw which lacked real cutting edge.

But boss Rob Kelly suffered his first defeat since taking the helm for a second time this season right at the death.

Shaun Miller popped up to steal the points deep in stoppage time as crestfallen Barrow were forced to go empty-handed.

And a frustrating fifth defeat in six left the Bluebirds in the relegation zone.

BOLTON, ENGLAND, FEB 27TH Barrows Luke James battles with Boltons Ricardo Santos during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bolton Wanderers and Barrow at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Saturday 27th February 2021. (Credit: Chris Donnelly | MI News)

Kelly’s charges are two points behind Southend but have two vital games in hand with a much superior goal difference over their nearest relegation rival.

Caretaker boss Kelly made a solitary change after ending their four-game losing streak at Oldham last time out.

Bobby Thomas returned in place of Tom Davies while Josh Kay shrugged off his hamstring niggle to be named on the bench.

Both sides started the contest brightly, but it was the in-form hosts who carved out the first meaningful chance.

And it fell to star striker Eoin Doyle as he glanced Declan John’s cross wide of the far post.

BOLTON, ENGLAND, FEB 27TH Boltons Kieran Lee clashes with Barrows Scott Quigley during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bolton Wanderers and Barrow at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Saturday 27th February 2021. (Credit: Chris Donnelly | MI News)

Down the other end Scott Quigley fashioned a chance on the turn as his ambitious strike flew over the bar.

Bluebirds stopper Joel Dixon was called into action to keep out Oladapo Afolayan with a low save.

And Kelly’s charges squandered the best chance of the first half.

Jason Taylor arrived to meet Quigley’s cut back but Matt Gilks produced a fine save to frustrate the valiant visitors.

Dixon did well to thwart a Trotters’ counter-attack as he tipped Antoni Sarcevic’s cross away from its intended target.

BOLTON, ENGLAND, FEB 27TH Barrows Jason Taylors shot is blocked by Bolton keeper Matt Gilks in the first half during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bolton Wanderers and Barrow at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Saturday 27th February 2021. (Credit: Ch

The Bluebirds burst out of the blocks after the break with a searing counter, but scrambling Bolton snuffed out the danger.

And the away side got caught on the counter themselves as Kieran Lee’s strike was well blocked.

Dixon made a handful of saves to keep the Trotters at bay as the hosts looked most likely to clinch the points in the second half.

He did well to get behind Sarcevic’s powerful volley after a cross fell kindly for the midfielder.

And the stopper easily claimed Doyle’s effort as the fluffed his lines after a promising move for the hosts.

BOLTON, ENGLAND, FEB 27TH Barrows Kgosi Ntlhe challenges Boltons Lloyd Isgrove during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Bolton Wanderers and Barrow at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on Saturday 27th February 2021. (Credit: Chris Donnelly | MI News)

Nathan Delfouneso was the next one to fire a shot straight at untroubled Dixon.

Kelly rung the changes to try and find a creative spark, with former Carlisle winger Jamie Devitt sent on with just over 10 minutes to go.

The Bluebirds almost nabbed the points late on as a quickly taken free-kick found Quigley, but he agonisingly fired into the side netting.

Raucous appeals for a penalty were waved away in stoppage time when Devitt went down inside the box.

And Barrow were heartbreakingly defeated right at the death as Miller made it five wins on the bounce for Bolton.