BATTLING Barrow finally got back to winning ways as they condemned relegation-threatened Scunthorpe United to even more misery.

Mark Cooper’s Bluebirds secured a welcome first win in eight as John Rooney’s third goal since returning to the club secured a precious three points in this crunch clash.

The Cumbrian club opened up a healthy six-point cushion over the dreaded drop zone back to non-league football – while the ten-man Iron are ten points shy of safety after they slumped to a sorry 12th defeat in 15.

Both sides had a man sent off as Anthony Grant was sent off after just 22 minutes before recalled Tom Beadling was given his marching orders right at the end.

Boss Cooper made a trio of changes for the relegation crunch clash with struggling Scunthorpe United.

Josh Gordon, Beadling and Anthony Glennon were the players to return to the starting line-up at the Sands Venue Stadium.

There was a slow start to proceedings as both sides were understandably nervy in a must-win game for the two clubs.

The first real chance fell to the visitors, through Robbie Gotts as he fired over the bar on the stretch after taking down Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s cross.

Barrow were gifted a huge advantage soon after as Grant was shown red for a reckless lunge on the returning Gordon in the 22nd minute.

And Cooper’s charges immediately grew in confidence after their shell-shocked hosts went down to ten.

Dangerous Amadi-Holloway could only head Glennon’s whipped free-kick straight at Scunthorpe shot-stopper Rory Watson.

The Bluebirds, and their faithful travelling fans, couldn’t believe they weren’t ahead in the 25th minute.

Gordon fought his way through the Iron defence and forced Watson into an incredible save before frustratingly seeing his follow-up cleared off the line by George Taft’s last-gasp defending.

Glennon’s corner then flicked the bar as the visitors threatened to take the lead.

Inspired Watson was again up to the task as he kept out ever-present Amadi-Holloway with a superb save.

Ollie Banks’ 25-yard drive flew wide of the mark on the stroke of half time.

But Rooney ensured Cooper’s side went into the break with a deserved lead as he cooly slotted into the bottom corner after Gordon knocked Patrick Brough’s cross into his path.

The Bluebirds flew out of the blocks in a bid to kill the game off early.

Defender Niall Canavan headed wide across the face of goal shortly after the resumption.

Former Leeds’ starlet Robbie Gotts had his effort pushed clear by Watson before Beadling fired a strike wide.

It should have been two just before the hour when Amadi-Holloway’s low effort flew agonisingly off target.

Gordon turned the ball home with 20 minutes to go, but the linesman’s flag was quickly up for offside before he could celebrate.

Watson kept the hosts in the contest with saves from Gordon and Gotts heading into the last ten minutes.

There was a late scare when Beadling was booked for a second time, but Barrow held on for a vital victory.