BARROW agonisingly missed out on their first Cumbrian derby victory since 1960 after Offrande Zanzala’s late penalty.

The hosts got off to the worst possible start as Jack Armer scored his first senior goal after just three minutes at Holker Street.

Star striker Scott Quigley and Patrick Brough turned the game around inside five first-half minutes.

But James Jones gifted Carlisle a late lifeline as Zanzala fired home a 79th-minute penalty.

And the draw means nothing has changed for Barrow’s survival hopes after Southend’s goalless draw.

The battling Bluebirds remain six points above the dreaded drop zone with two games in hand.

Rob Kelly named two changes after his side’s Bank Holiday Monday draw at Colchester.

Chris Taylor returned to the heart of the Bluebirds’ midfield, with experienced Neal Eardley also recalled.

But the hosts’ neighbours dealt the first blow in just the first minute.

The Barrow defence was caught out by Callum Guy’s corner as Armer powered home a header.

Then the Cumbrians’ stopper Paul Farman did well to punch away the danger as the hosts immediately threatened.

And Barrow had to be alert to clear their lines as Omari Patrick’s mis-hit shot almost fell to Armer.

The visitors squandered a decent chance when Joe Riley fired wide after Lewis Alessandra held the ball up well.

The hosts restored parity in the 19th minute.

Ollie Banks’ floated free-kick was knocked on by Kgosi Ntlhe as Quigley turned and fired a low strike beyond Farman.

Down the other end Zanzala’s tame effort went wide as Chris Beech’s side tried to wrestle back some momentum.

But Quigley charged down Rod McDonald’s clearance and fired the ball across goal for Brough to coolly slot home the second in the 24th minute.

The visitors were incensed when Eardley, already on a booking, fouled Alessandra just before the break.

And talks between the Carlisle side and the officials went well into half time.

Carlisle burst out of the blocks after the restart but Patrick’s cross came to nothing.

And Alessandra fired a curled effort wide as Beech’s boys pushed to draw level.

Quigley should have doubled his tally as a heavy touch went through to Farman.

Bluebirds’ stopper Joel Dixon did well to intercept Armer’s cross with Zanzala prowling.

Barrow withstood Carlisle’s route one line of attack as they tried to force their way back into the game.

Quigley saw a shot blocked by McDonald as Brad Barry’s fine ball over the top.

Ever-present Quigley forced McDonald into a mistake at the back but Farman was out quickly after the striker slipped Chris Taylor in behind.

United scrambled with Guy’s shot annoyingly hitting Zanzala as Barrow cleared.

The visitors’ best chance to draw level fell to Aaron Hayden as he headed Guy’s pin-point free-kick wide.

Jones then hauled down Zanzala in the box with 11 minutes to go as the striker stepped up and sent Dixon the wrong way.

Both sides huffed and puffed but were forced to settle for a point each.