Barrow 2, Swindon 0

IT was tenth time lucky as Barrow finally got back to winning ways in the league.

Second-half penalties from Ollie Banks and Josh Gordon kept Swindon Town out of the automatic promotion places in League Two at Holker Street.

Mark Cooper’s Bluebirds had lost three games on the spin in the league before this welcome win put them six points clear of the dreaded drop zone to non-league football.

The one worry will be the hosts have still failed to score from open play in the league since October.

But three points will give the players a much-needed confidence boost heading into Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay with Ipswich Town.

Cooper named two changes from his side’s goalless draw at the Tractor Boys.

That result ended Paul Cook’s time at Portman Road with Jordan Stevens and Offrande Zanzala returning to the Bluebirds’ starting line-up.

The Cumbrian club were afforded a few days extra rest after their home game against Salford City was postponed on Wednesday night due to a waterlogged pitch after torrential downpours hit Holker Street hard.

And the ground staff did a great job to get the pitch fit for Swindon’s visit after a horrible week.

The hosts started brightly with Zanzala and former Leeds winger Robbie Gotts combining well.

Stopper Paul Farman was up to the task when Jack Payne tried to catch him out with a free-kick.

Cooper’s charges had shouts for a penalty waved away after Gotts went down inside the box.

Gotts and Former Carlisle striker Zanzala continued to link up well with the former firing over the bar with the hosts’ first real chance on goal.

The Robins roared into life at the end of the first half and the Bluebirds were fortunate to go into the break all square.

Ben Garner’s high-fliers found the side netting through Tyreece Simpson after the in-form front man raced clear on the left.

And Ben Gladwin squandered a decent-looking chance when he dragged his strike wide of the mark.

Farman was quick to react as he kept out Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s deflected effort on the stroke of half time.

The first chance of the second period fell to Joe Grayson as he blasted an effort wide of the far post.

Barrow earned themselves a penalty on the hour mark when Hayden handled inside the visitors box.

And Banks made no mistake as he fired home his fifth goal from the spot this term to put the Bluebirds ahead.

The home side could have put the game to bed with 20 minutes to go but dangerous Gotts saw his deflected effort come off the foot of the post as Town cleared.

Substitute Gordon wasted a glorious effort when he nodded Grayson’s cross wide at the far post.

But the points were secured four minutes from time as Gordon stroked home the hosts’ second penalty of the afternoon.

Remeao Hutton had a shot saved before Patrick Brough was sent flying by Gladwin.

Banks missed a chance to double his tally after being slipped in by Hutton at the end.

Swindon skipper Dion Conroy was sent off after the final whistle.