Stevenage 2 Barrow 1

Barrow were dealt a hammer blow in their quest for League Two survival as they succumbed to a late penalty in a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.

Luke Norris scored the winner from the spot after Brad Barry was adjudged to have fouled Boro substitute Jack Aitchison.

It looked good for the visitors when substitute Calvin Andrew scored with his first touch on 78 minutes, guiding home a deft header from Barry’s wonderful cross.

Stevenage took the lead on 52 minutes thanks to Elliott List as he turned home Luther James-Wildin’s cross at the near post.

Overall, the home side had the majority of the chances in a generally scrappy affair in Hertfordshire but the substitutes made a huge impact in this encounter.

Stevenage did have the first opportunity of the game on four minutes when Elliot Osborne’s clever pass released Norris but his shot was well held by Joel Dixon.

The home side had an even better change two minutes later when Arthur Read’s close-range effort was saved at point-blank range by Dixon.

Stevenage were getting on top and another superb ball by Osborne found the run of List on eight minutes but he shot wide, under pressure from Dixon and Kgosi Ntlhe.

Barrow’s first sighter at goal came on 28 minutes when Josh Kay flashed his effort across the box and wide.

Rob Kelly’s men were trying to look for a breakthrough before the interval as Scott Quigley saw his shot blocked on 38 minutes by Luke Prosser.

The home side broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half as Barrow failed to clear their lines and List pounced.

Alex Revell’s men looked to double their advantage and came close to a second on 58 minutes when Luke Prosser headed Tom Pett’s excellent corner just wide.

Stevenage had a golden chance three minutes later to make it 2-0 when Chris Lines’ wonderful cross found Norris at the back post who volleyed over from eight yards.

The game was becoming stretched as Barrow sought an equaliser. Chris Taylor’s fine corner found an unmarked Tom Beadling on 63 minutes but he glanced his header wide.

Barrow made a triple change with Ollie Banks, Jamie Devitt and Luke James entering the field and Banks’ excellent pass found Brad Barry. His cross was cleared out to Kay, who’s strike was saved well by Jamie Cumming on 72 minutes.

Another substitute, Andrew, provided the breakthrough as he met Barry’s lovely cross on 78 minutes to conjure up a priceless leveller.

Then came the cruel blow on 86 minutes as Norris thundered home a penalty to dent Barrow’s hopes for survival.