Match ends, Barrow 1, Bradford City 2.
Former Barrow striker Tyler Smith came back to haunt his old side with a late winner to ensure their quest to make the League Two play-offs goes down to the final day after a narrow 2-1 loss at home to Bradford.
The Bluebirds have endured a poor run at the worst part of the season with just one point from six.
Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman produced a good stop to keep out Andy Cook in the 20th minute, while talented 20-year-old Bobby Pointon fired the Bantams ahead with a fine strike after 29 minutes.
Home forward Cole Stockton had an effort cleared off the line and their pressing told as Kian Spence levelled with a fine free-kick on the hour.
Pete Wild made four changes in the final 15 minutes in a bid for the home side to get a season-defining goal but Barrow substitute David Worrall could only fire straight at Sam Walker.
Instead it was the visitors who secured the three points as the hosts were left with a nervous wait.
Smith, who spent the first half of the 2018-19 season on loan at Barrow, came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner from Cook's flick on.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Barrow
Formation 3-5-2
- 1FarmanBooked at 90mins
- 17Chester
- 24Feely
- 6Canavan
- 18StephensonBooked at 66minsSubstituted forWorrallat 76'minutes
- 8Spence
- 4CampbellSubstituted forWhitfieldat 76'minutes
- 15Gotts
- 11Newby
- 20AcquahSubstituted forTelfordat 82'minutes
- 23StocktonBooked at 32minsSubstituted forProctorat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Worrall
- 9Proctor
- 12Lillis
- 16Foley
- 19Telford
- 34Whitfield
Bradford
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Walker
- 22OyegokeBooked at 54mins
- 5Platt
- 18Kelly
- 2Halliday
- 11GillieadSubstituted forOduorat 77'minutes
- 6Smallwood
- 36Wright
- 23PointonBooked at 50minsSubstituted forSmithat 83'minutesSubstituted forRichardsat 90+4'minutes
- 8KavanaghSubstituted forChapmanat 82'minutesBooked at 90minsSubstituted forTomkinsonat 90+4'minutes
- 9Cook
Substitutes
- 3Ridehalgh
- 12Oduor
- 13Doyle
- 14Smith
- 20Chapman
- 31Tomkinson
- 32Richards
- Referee:
- Ross Joyce
- Attendance:
- 4,527
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home1
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barrow 1, Bradford City 2.
Post update
Corner, Barrow. Conceded by Tyreik Wright.
Post update
Foul by Ciarán Kelly (Bradford City).
Post update
Robbie Gotts (Barrow) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Rory Feely (Barrow) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Robbie Gotts with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Clarke Oduor (Bradford City).
Post update
Elliot Newby (Barrow) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Offside, Bradford City. Andy Cook is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ben Whitfield (Barrow) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Niall Canavan with a headed pass.
Substitution
Substitution, Bradford City. Lewis Richards replaces Tyler Smith.
Substitution
Substitution, Bradford City. Jonathan Tomkinson replaces Harry Chapman.
Booking
Paul Farman (Barrow) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Harry Chapman (Bradford City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Harry Chapman (Bradford City).
Post update
Elliot Newby (Barrow) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Dominic Telford (Barrow).
Goal!
Goal! Barrow 1, Bradford City 2. Tyler Smith (Bradford City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Andy Cook with a through ball.
Post update
Corner, Bradford City. Conceded by James Chester.
Comments
Join the conversation
Unlikely and would never be thought of during the season. At one stage they looked to be making a determined effort for National League status. So……
Still a tall order for us but some good battling team performances of late.
Well played City.
Only been in the league three years and pushing for promotion!
Every one of you should be behind the team spurring them on!
There are a lot of clubs that would love to be in your position!
Just enjoy the ride.
Crawley look to be in a similar place of poor form. Doncaster are flying though!
Hopefully the mighty Bantams can make the playoffs and it’ll be City v Donny in the final at Wembley!!