BARROW 1 Spence (59’)
BRADFORD CITY 2 Pointon (29’), Smith (90’)

BARROW fans will be biting their nails after a last-gasp defeat meant their play-off hopes will go down to the final day.

The Bluebirds knew victory would secure them a top-six spot with a game to spare.

But their woeful recent run stretched to just a solitary point from a possible 18 after conceding late on yet again.

Pete Wild’s side conspired to chuck away a 2-0 lead as the wheels fell off at the end of their 4-2 defeat to Doncaster on Saturday.

Bobby Pointon, 20, bagged his first away goal for Bradford to fire them in front but Kian Spence levelled with a trademark strike, from a free-kick.

However, substitute Tyler Smith scored right at the end to leave Barrow on the brink.

They now need a result against promoted Mansfield to give themselves a shot at promotion.

Wild made a solitary change to the team which started Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers.

Top striker Cole Stockton came in to partner Emile Acquah up front at the expense on Sam Foley.

The Bluebirds made a bright start to proceedings as James Chester headed over after he met Dean Campbell’s cross.

Bradford found their feet and threatened to take the lead.

Paul Farman produced a great reaction save to keep out towering Andy Cook’s from point-blanked range in the 20th minute.

Calum Kavanagh missed a glorious chance to fire the Bantams ahead when he blasted wide from close range.

But the pressure told as Barrow could open clear a corner as far as Pointon who unleashed an unstoppable effort to open the scoring on the half-hour mark.

Farman denied the visitors a second on the stroke of half-time as he kept out Kavanagh with another good stop.

After the break, Stockton came agonisingly close to levelling as he rounded Sam Walker, only to see his effort clawed off the line by Ciaran Kelly.

But the hosts restored parity on the hour as Spence, who has scored a number a exquisite goals this season, fired home a huge free-kick.

The goal woke up the home supporters, who roared into life.

And with the 12th man behind their back Barrow upped the ante.

Within seconds of Spence’s fine equaliser, Acquah fired a left-footed strike just wide after he found himself in space.

Barrow saw huge shouts for a penalty waved away after Rory Feely’s long show hit a Bradford player.

Wild threw the kitchen sink to try and get the win needed to secured a play-off spot with a game to spare.

Ben Whitfield, Jamie Proctor, David Worrall and Dom Telford were all ushered into the action inside the final 15 minutes.

Whitfield and Worrall combined, but the latter’s shot was easily claimed by Walker.

But it was the Bantams who had the last laugh as Smith turned home Cook’s flick on in stoppage time.