BARROW AFC narrowly missed out on silverware after defeat to Burnley U21’s on penalties in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup Final at Leyland County Ground.

The Bluebirds’ had trailed since the 30th minute courtesy of Joe Westley’s first-half strike but a last-gasp equaliser from a corner by ‘Trialist A’ sent the match to penalties. 

Joe Ashton eventually won the shootout 4-1 for the Clarets after Ged Garner and Sam Bellis had seen their attempts saved from the spot.

The Bluebirds’ named a strong, experienced line-up including starts for Josh Lillis (GK), Robbie Gotts, Garner, Elliot Newby and Sam Foley who were all named on Pete Wild’s substitute bench in their 1-1 draw to Wrexham on Saturday.

Marcel Lewis crafted the first noticeable chance of the game in the 22nd minute for Burnley, as he saw his low shot kept out by the legs of Josh Lillis in what was a very even start to the match.

Burnley then took the lead after Westley finished off a swooping counter attack, assisted by Tom Tweedy who squared the ball for the forward.

The U21 side could have added to their lead if Owen Dodgson’s contentiously awarded free kick had found the back of the net instead of flying just wide of the post.  

After the interval, Barrow then had two quickfire chances, with Elliot Newby curling an effort over from distance, before Trialist A headed over from a corner.

The second half was just as tight and cagey as the first with opportunities proving again hard to come by, until Lillis did brilliantly to deny Lewis Richardson 1v1 in the 64th minute.

Slowly though, the Bluebirds’ started to turn the screw as Owen Bray and Gotts forced Denis Franchi into making a smart save in the 75th and 82nd minute.

With the fourth official indicating five additional minutes added time, Trialist A then struck for Barrow as he prodded home a corner that hadn’t been properly cleared.

Despite forcing the match to spot kicks, unfortunately, it ultimately wasn’t meant to be for the Bluebirds, as Burnley prevailed.