THE Raiders crashed to their first league defeat of the season at Cougar Park as the home side gained revenge for a 40-18 defeat at Craven Park last month.

Coach Paul Crarey was disappointed with the loss but backed his players as injuries took its toll.

He said: “We were second best on the day, and were forced to make a late change to the line up with Luke Creswell pulling out through illness with Jake Carter being drafted in.

“We then lost Gary Wheeler, Shane Toal, Brad Crellin and Ryan Duffy all injured and had to reshuffle meaning we also ran out of Substitutes.

“But having said that we paid the penalty for too many errors, we lost our shape and after two tough games against Workington and Doncaster time caught up on us, we ran out of steam.”

There was little between the two sides in the opening minutes with both putting over penalty goals for 2-2. Jack Miller gave the home side the lead with a penalty goal before Jamie Dallimore made it all square with a goal for the Raiders.

On 20 minutes, the first try of the afternoon came in favour of the Cougars when Aaron Levy prised open a gap to touchdown, Miller tagging on the goal kick 8-2.Dallimore was then impeded in a tackle and he stepped up to kick his second goal 8-4.

Thirty-one minutes into the action Barrow were caught offside allowing Miller to stretch the lead with his goal 10-4.Penalties were coming thick and fast, this time Barrow benefitting as Callum Bustin was impeded ,Dallimore on target with goal number three 10-6.

As half time approached a killer blow with one minute of the half remaining, Mo Agoro going in at the corner,Miller adding a touchline conversion 16-6.

Ten minutes into the second period veteran full back Quentin-Lalua-Togagae joined the attack to cross for a try under the posts, Miller making no mistake with his kick 22-6.

The game was now slipping away for the previously undefeated leaders who went further behind with Miller touching down and converting 28-6.

On the hour mark the Cougars were reduced to 12 men with Ryan Wright sent to the sin bin for a late challenge on Dallimore. However despite down to 12 men it was they who were adding points when Charlie Graham went the length of the field to score,Miller adding the goal 34-6.A minute prior to Wrights return, Brendan Santi powered his way over,Miller once more obliging with the goal 40-12. Barrow were in danger of not scoring a try for the first time this season but were spared with two minutes left on the clock when skipper Jarrad Stack crossed the white-wash,Dallimore landing a touchline goal.Barrow now have a week off due to the Challenge cup final before Coventry at home and Workington away.

Barrow: Carter, Toal, Stack,Wheeler, Shaw, Dallimore, Johnston, Forster, Dowsett, A Walne Hopkins, Emslie, J Walne. Subs used: Duffy,Mossop, Crellin, Bustin.