Barrow AFC 1 FC Halifax Town 2

The saying 'a game of two halves' is often over-used, but it was once again the case at Holker Street as Barrow AFC slipped to defeat against FC Halifax Town.

In truth, the Bluebirds deserved at least a point out of a game in which the referee had a big say, as Gareth Rhodes first awarded the visitors a soft penalty before denying AFC the same opportunity after a blatant foul on Brad Barry.

The home side got off to a blistering start with less than a minute played when Lewis Hardcastle picked the ball up 18 yards out and found the top corner with a superb strike.

The visitors then got a foot hold into the game, but they weren't able to fashion any real chances and Joel Dixon's work amounted to plucking a few harmless crosses out of the air.

As the game passed the half-hour mark, the home side had a series of chances. First Olly Dyson broke into the box, only to be tackled before he could pull the trigger.

John Rooney then fired over from 18 yards before Johnson was equal to an effort from Dior Angus. Angus had sight of goal again with ten minutes of the first half remaining, as he cut inside and saw his effort held by Sam Johnson.

Halifax rarely threatened but Dixon had to be at his absolute best when a free kick was hit diagonally into the area and he made an early decision to come for it and he took it superbly.

On the stroke of half-time the Bluebirds should have doubled their lead when Olly Dyson raced onto a loose ball and made his way into the area, firing at goal from 20 yards but seeing his effort fly over the bar.

Disaster struck for Barrow just two minutes into the second half, as Brad Barry’s clearance only made it as far as Tobi Sho-Silva and his blocked effort fell to Liam Nolan, who swept a shot home from inside the area.

Barrow responded quickly and had several good chances. Barry saw his effort from an angle flash wide of the far post before John Rooney’s shot from 18 yards was held by Johnson. The midfielder then teed up Hardcastle, who could only shoot over.

As the game passed the hour mark, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Cameron King was adjudged to have been brought down by Sam Hird in the area. Liam McAlinden made no mistake, beating the outstretched Dixon to give Halifax the lead.

There were chances for both sides soon after and Dixon made two superb saves to deny McAlinden before Dyson saw his low effort trickle agonisingly wide of the post.

With less than 20 minutes to go, Barrow had what looked to be a stonewall penalty turned down. Rooney played in Barry and the defender looked to be clearly tripped, but after a long look, the referee waved play on.

The Bluebirds continued to press and saw crosses from Josh Kay and Dyson narrowly evade Jack Hindle and Scott Quigley, with both strikers having easy finishes if they had been picked out. It wasn’t to be, though, as the referee brought to an end a frustrating afternoon for the Bluebirds, who will be looking to bounce back at Woking on Saturday.

Barrow : Dixon, Brough, Hird, Granite, Barry, Taylor (Hindle 77), Rooney, Hardcastle (Greaves 71), Angus (Kay 68), Dyson, Quigley.

Subs not used: Brown, Harrison.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Duckworth, Binnom-Williams, Clarke, Brown, Nolan, Allen (MacDonald 81), C King (J King 46), Sho-Silva, Staunton, McAlinden.

Subs not used: Appleyard, Earing, Hanson.

Referee: Gareth Rhodes

Attendance: 1,451 (215 away)

Bluebirds star man: Olly Dyson