Barrow AFC lose out in crunch League Two clash with relegation rivals Grimsby Town

Barrow’s bubble was well and truly burst as a Spokes was put in the Cumbrians’ bid to stay in the Football League.

Rookie midfielder Luke Spokes settled a nervy, error strewn encounter with a superb 71st minute minute winner-his first goal for the Mariners.

Rarely did Rob Kelly’s side look likely to record a fifth consecutive victory to equal the achievements of the sides in

1931-32 and 1967-68.

Scott Quigley was well marshalled by a defence that has now helped Grimsby to their own five-game unbeaten sequence.

Barrow v Grimsby Town Picture: Mark Fletcher / MI News & Sport

Barrow are now seven points better off than Grimsby who remain bottom and six points clear of the danger zone. But they will know this was a missed opportunity to ease their fears.

Former Grimsby manager Michael Jolley was Bluebirds’ boss when the game was postponed on January 26 due to a waterlogged pitch.

Less than a month later Jolley was gone with Barrow 23rd in the table and Rob Kelly chosen as replacement until the end of the season.

When Paul Hurst was named as Ian Holloway’s successor back in January, the Mariners were three points above the drop zone.

Barrow v Grimsby Town Picture: Mark Fletcher / MI News & Sport

Since then Hurst has won only once with the Mariners now favourites to drop back into the National League.

Kelly named new signing Calvin Andrew on the bench while Patrick Brough was also among the substitutes, losing his place in the starting line-up to Chris Taylor.

Grimsby kicked off unbeaten in four games but a quartet of draws was in contrast to AFC’s 12-points haul from the same sequence of games.

The visitors, however, looked most likely to break the stalemate in the opening 45 minutes.

Barrow v Grimsby Town Picture: Mark Fletcher / MI News & Sport

Elliott Hewitt flicked an early chance over the crossbar after James Hanson headed Luke Spokes’ free kick into the six-yard box.

Rolin Menayese, Lenell John-Lewis and Stefan Payne also aimed efforts at Joel Dixon’s goal albeit without the keeper called into action.

A hat-trick of corners were the sole entertainment for a couple of enterprising youngsters who shinned up a lamppost on Wilkie Road to watch this vital fourth tier relegation scrap.

After the drama of last Saturday’s five-goal thriller against Crawley, this was a far stodgier affair though understandable given what was at stake.

Barrow v Grimsby Town Picture: Mark Fletcher / MI News & Sport

Eventually after 54 minutes Barrow mustered a worthwhile effort as Luke James and Chris Taylor combined purposefully on the home right.

Taylor’s pass picked out Quigley whose right foot shot from 20 yards narrowly flew over James McKeown’s crossbar.

Kelly made first use of his substitutes after 62 minutes with Tom Beadling replacing Ollie Banks.

But it was Grimsby who scored the crucial first goal nine minutes later.

Barrow v Grimsby Town Picture: Mark Fletcher / MI News & Sport

Midfielder Spokes hadn’t previously scored for the visitors. However, he won’t forget a superb left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area that flew past Joel Dixon.

Barrow immediately upped the tempo but despite a series of corners and free kicks in promising positions, they couldn’t fashion an equaliser.

Quigley had a shot saved in stoppage time by James McKeown while Andrew had little time to become a first game saviour.