Barrow 0
Mansfield 1

BRUISED Barrow slumped to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions after a 1-0 loss to Mansfield Town. 

It was a disappointing afternoon for the Bluebirds, which also saw boss Pete Wild booked for remonstrating with the officials.

Jordan Bowery struck the only goal of the game in the 50th minute as the hosts lost back-to-back league games at Holker Street for the first time since March.

The signs were good until losing a top-of-the-table clash with Leyton Orient last month. 

And it has been a nightmare since with lack of firepower a cause for concern. 

The Bluebirds have failed to score in their last three league outings and their slump in form coincides with striker Josh Gordon, who has seven goals this term, going on an uncharacteristic drought.

After three straight defeats, Wild made a solitary change to his starting line-up from last weekend’s loss at Tranmere as forward David Mojo replaced Tom White in a desperate bid to find the back of the net.

There were few chances in a quiet first-half as both sides struggled to test the opposition keepers.

Sam Foley’s long-range effort missed the mark as the hosts tried their luck.

Stags’ striker Oli Hawkins got on the end of Elliott Hewitt’s dangerous delivery, but could only volley over the bar for Nigel Clough’s charges.

The Bluebirds’ best chance before the break fell to Harrison Neal as his rasping 30-yard strike flew just wide.

Mansfield looked the more likely to open the scoring heading into half-time. 

Wild’s men breathed a sigh of relief as Stephen Quinn’s effort was deflected wide from not too far out before George Maris threatened to do better after chesting the ball down on to his right foot. 

But the pressure told shortly after the restart as Bowery bagged his first goal since May.

Bowery reacted quickest to break free of his man and poke home after Hawkins headed against the bar.

And it looked as though the floodgates could open as the Stags squandered great chances to quickly double their lead.

Dangerous Bowery picked out his man as he found Quinn unmarked only for the latter to miss from just six yards out.

Barrow were indebted to the furniture just before the hour as before Patrick Brough brilliantly cleared Bowery’s rebound off the line.

The hosts started to go through the gears with 20 minutes to go as they searched for an equaliser.

Tyrell Warren’s acrobatic effort was cleared off the line. 

Boss Wild was booked after remonstrating with the officials as tempers boiled over.

Top scorer Gordon headed Ben Whitfield’s cross wide with ten minutes to go.

A brilliant late Christy Pym save denied Barrow a welcome point as he superbly kept out Billy Waters’ low thunderbolt.