A superbly struck 54th minute free kick by Sam Sheridan condemned Harrogate Town to their first defeat of the current campaign.
At times the match,played on a lively pitch in glorious late evening sunshine,took on an end of season appearance, as the ball spent long periods in the air.
After some even early exchanges,in which Leigh Franks caused problems with a couple of trademark long throws and Dave Merris cleared a Barrow free kick, it was the Bluebirds who almost took the lead.
Sam Sheridan’s 25 yard shot rebounded off the Town crossbar to Dale Johnson, but Craig MacGillivray brilliantly turned his follow up for a corner.
Barrow kept up their momentum and Merris cleared a Richard Davey header off the line from a Greg Mills corner.
As the half progressed, it was Town who began to create the better chances.
Chris Hall broke clear to create a chance for Ashley Worsfold,but his chip sailed high across the goal.
Shorltly afterwards, Hall headed a Merris cente goalwards only to be thwarted by a good save by Tony McMillan.
Worsfold robbed Paul Edwards,as he dwelt on the ball and cut across the area, but tucked his shot just the wrong side of the near post.
Town’s purple patch continued as Hall found Adam Bolder in the box,he flicked on to Dominic Rowe whose shot for the far corner went narrowly wide.
Town had a late first half chance to take the lead when they were awarded a free kick on the edge off the area, but the defensive wall did it’s job to keep out Bolder’s effort.
Town started the second half in similar vein with Anton Brown heading another Franks long throw wide and McMillan snatching Hall’s cross of Worsfold’s head.
The decisive moment came after 54 minutes when Brown fouled Davies 20 yards out.
Sheridan stepped forward to hit a sweetly struck free kick past the wall into the far corner,giving MacGillivray no chance.
Town pressed forward chasing an equaliser and Barrow were able to find room to create several good chances, but the Town defence,with skipper Shane Killock outstanding, held firm.
Town,were resorting mainly to the long ball,instead of their usual close passing game,but still manage to create some excellent chances.
Bolder headed a Franks cross wide, before Liam Hardy and Bolder set up Tommy Wright who forced another fine save from McMillan.
Andrew Burns cleared Brown’s goal bound header off the line,before deep into stoppage time, the returning Michael Woods produced a tremendous volley from Matt Bloomer’s cross that was only inches high.
It was a disappointing night for Town,but they can bounce back on Saturday when they entertain Stockport County.
Harrogate Town. 1 MacGillivray, 2 Bloomer, 3 Merris,4 Bolder, 5 Franks, 6 Killock (c), 7 Worsfold ( Hardy 60 mins), 8 Brown, 9 Hall (Wright 66), 10 Nelthorpe, 11 Rowe (Woods 55).
Unused Subs,15 Nowakowski,16 Samuels.
Bookings nil.
