Battling Barrow were unable to upset Exeter City’s promotion party following a late 2-1 score at St James Park.

The Bluebirds looked like they would leave Exeter’s party on ice after they took an early lead when home keeper Cameron Dawson turned a long throw into his own net.

The Grecians cranked up the pressure and levelled thanks to a massive slice of luck for Kieran Phillips on 35 minutes.

But Barrow stood firm in front of the expectant crowd of near 8,000 to go in all square at half-time.

And it looked like they would do just the same in the second half as they kept any expected onslaught from City comfortably at bay.

Remeao Hutton was agonisingly close to giving Barrow the lead when he was denied by a brilliant save by Dawson midway through the half.

It proved to be a key miss when Jay scored the goal that the hosts desperately wanted with 12 minutes to go.

But, despite defeat, it was a performance which can give Barrow plenty of heart for the new campaign after going toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in the league.

Barrow went into the match with the pressure off after officially sealing their place in League Two for another season with the weekend win over Sutton United. But the Bluebirds knew they would get anything but an easy ride from an Exeter City side needing the win to officially secure promotion to League One for the first time since 2012.

Phil Brown made two changes to the starting line-up with Josh Gordon and George Williams coming in, with Aaron Amadi-Holloway out injured and Josh Kay suspended.

Paul Farman saved comfortably from Archie Collins on ten minutes as the Grecians enjoyed the brighter start. But the visitors took the lead when Hutton’s long throw was turned into his own goal by keeper Dawson after it rebounded back off the post.

Timothee Dieng and Jack Sparkes both saw shots deflected for corners as City put Barrow under more pressure.

Farman saved from Matt Jay on 21 minutes, before Phillips hit the bar five minutes later after a great move opened up the Barrow defence.

But Phillips got a big slice of luck when he levelled the match with the aid of a massive deflection on 35 minutes.

The visitors managed to stand firm to go in level at half-time.

And the Bluebirds started the second half brightly with plenty of possession taking the sting out of Exeter.

A Robbie Gotts free-kick came to nothing after it was well claimed by Dawson on 56 minutes.

Hutton picked up a booking following a heavy challenge on Jay. before Jay tested Farman from long range.

Hutton missed a great chance to put Barrow ahead when Dawson kept out his powerful shot after he went clean through.

Josh Key fired over from distance on 71 minutes as Barrow continued to limit Exeter’s opportunities.

But Jay fired Exeter ahead with a low shot after a cross came through a crowd of players and fell kindly.