Barrow 1

Crewe 3

Barrow handed a debut to goal king Cole Stockton but two homegrown Crewe youngsters sent Pete Wild’s side crashing to a first home defeat of the campaign.

Robbie Gotts fired the Bluebirds into a ninth minute lead but Elliott Nevitt quickly levelled for the Cheshire outfit.

And after 12 unbeaten games at Holker Street, the record tumbled as teenagers Lewis Billington and Matus Holicek struck in the second half.

Billington headed Alex in front after 64 minutes before Holicek earned Lee Bell’s side revenge for last month’s reverse 3-1 defeat

Stockton started from a formidable looking bench including fellow strikers Dom Telford and Emile Acquah.

And further good news was the return of David Worrall after suffering a horrendous concussion at Wrexham on New Year’s Day.

Worrall’s availability made it three changes from the 2-2 draw at Sutton with Tom White and Gotts also coming into a revamped midfield.

Opponents Crewe came into the game having won their three previous outings and last suffering defeat on Boxing Day.

And it was two of Barrow’s incomers who combined to bring out a chorus of ‘glad all over’ after nine minutes.

Shilow Tracey was booked for a foul on Elliot Newby and from the resulting pressure Worrall crossed from the right and Gotts volleyed a low right foot shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Barrow stayed on the offensive and Gotts blazed over another attempt before Kian Spence had a shot blocked as he took aim from the edge of the penalty area.

Crewe, however, were behind for just 10 minutes. Rio Adebisi out jumped Worrall and his flick picked out Chris Long whose low cross was tapped in from close range by Alex top scorer Nevitt.

The Alex marksman, who also netted in the reverse fixture on December 22, should have doubled his tally after 25 minutes. Instead, he miscued from a similar distance following Adebisi’s inviting centre via the Barrow right.

Crewe were getting plenty of joy down the flanks and Worrall did well to block Long’s effort. Barrow’s defence was tested again just before the break when Adebisi’s free kick was headed over by Nevitt.

So, half-time came at the right moment for the home side whose bright start faded as the period went on.

Wild, serving the second of his two-game touchline ban, resisted the temptation to introduce any substitutes for the start of the second half.

But with few signs of a second home goal and Crewe still looking a threat, he made the inevitable initial switch.

So, on the hour Dean Campbell replaced goal scorer Gotts while Crewe introduced debutant Josh Austerfield for Long who tested Farman from 30 yards before his departure.

Barrow’s lethargy was punished once more after 64 minutes. Tracey beat the offside trap and did well to keep the ball in play on the goal line.

He was also allowed to stand up a cross which 19-year-old Billington headed in from six yards.

With 22 minutes remaining Telford and Stockton were sent on to try and rescue the situation with George Ray and Jamie Proctor making way..

Eventually, Barrow came to life and Campbell teed up in-form Ben Whitfield whose shot on the turn was turned away for a corner by Tom Booth.

But Barrow’s demise was completed when Paul Farman beat away Courtney Baker-Richardson’s shot and Holicek headed in.