Barrow boosted their Football League survival hopes with an important point against Salford City.

Phil Brown’s battling Bluebirds dampened the ambitious Ammies’ play-off hopes after securing a share of the spoils at The Peninsula on Monday.

Ryan Watson opened the scoring for the hosts before being cancelled out by Josh Gordon.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway seemingly snatched all three points with seven minutes to go, but substitute Ian Henderson broke their hearts with a last-minute leveller.

The result leaves the Cumbrian club four points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining while Salford City find themselves in ninth, three points outside of the precious play-off positions.

The visitors were the more comfortable team in the first half, starting brightly and enjoying the lion’s share of chances, the first of which fell to winger Josh Kay.

Kay latched on to a clearance but dragged his shot wide of Tom King’s goal.

The Bluebirds then hit the home side on the counter finding space on the left-hand side for Kay again, but his low attempt was equalled by King.

It was Salford that broke the deadlock however, against the run of play.

Left back Ibou Touray slung a long throw into the box which was headed out to Ryan Watson on the edge of the box. The 28-year-old scuffed his first attempt but got a second bite of the cherry and his strike was deflected past Barrow keeper Paul Farman.

After the goal the Ammies grew into the game and before long manufactured another big chance.

Matty Lund connected with a ball into the box and chested down away from the defence leaving only the keeper to beat but his volleyed attempt was lashed over the crossbar.

The final chance of the opening half fell to Salford centre-back Jordan Turnbull after a set piece was poorly dealt with by Phil Brown’s side but the defender’s hopeful overhead attempt never threatened the Barrow goal.

The second half opened similarly to the first with Barrow enjoying the first chances.

Attempting to break up a counter attack Corrie Ndaba volleyed wildly towards his own goal, beating goalkeeper King and hitting the top of his own crossbar.

Both sides looked evenly matched throughout the second half before Barrow equalised in the 65th minute.

Substitute Josh Gordon met John Rooney’s near post free kick and expertly glanced it across goal and past Tom King, sparking an on-field celebration from Phil Brown.

The home side responded well to conceding, creating chances and piling pressure on Brown’s side.

Salford had a major opening with 15 minutes to go after Touray slipped in Thomas-Asante who found himself one on one with Farman. The forward attempted a cute chip over the Barrow keeper but Farman saved well.

Barrow thought they had sealed all three points in the 82nd minute when they took the lead through Amadi-Holloway.

George Williams split the Salford defence with a smart ball that was latched on to by Amadi-Holloway who smashed the ball past King at his near post.

The home side, endeavouring to keep their playoff hopes alive, had one last reply, however. A ball into the box was won by Jordan Turnbull, creating a goalmouth scramble and substitute fox-in-the-box Ian Henderson managed to nudge the ball just over the line, saving his side from defeat.