Wrexham 1 Barrow 1
Wrexham were held to a draw right at the death as part-time Barrow took revenge after similarly being on the receiving end of a late equaliser in the Boxing Day clash. While the visitors were worth their point, Wrexham fans were fuming at the sense of déjà vu.




The revolving door to the first-team saw Steve Abbott, Darran Kempson, Sam Aiston and others lose out to Sam Williamson, Wes Baynes, Patrick Suffo, Silvio Spann, Mike Proctor and John Curtis. The visitors, jointly-managed by former red Dave Bayliss, count Lee McEvilly and Simon Spender in their squad – both ironically, both were ineligible to play against their former / parent club.




Surprisingly it was the visitors who were quicker out of the blocks putting Wrexham under pressure, using wide players Carlos Logan and Brendan McGill well. Pacy forward Jason Walker was put through to be denied by Gunnar Nielsen in the Wrexham goal.
When the Dragons managed to clear their lines Wes Baynes carried the ball forward and when within range, hit a terrific shot which Barrow goalkeeper Tim Deasy just got a hand to. The slightest of touches prevented what would have been a wonderful solo goal. From the corner, Andrew Crofts headed narrowly wide.




Disappointingly, the game was fairly even and when Wrexham did press forward, the Suffo – Proctor partnership proved too static to test the likes of Paul Jones and Steve McNulty at the heart of the Barrow defence. At half-time, it was still 0-0.
Inevitably the first change early on after the break saw the tiring Suffo replaced by Obi Anoruo. There were long stoppages due to injuries to Barrow players and the game became very gritty, lacking rhythm.




Eventually Saunders granted the wishes of the Racecourse faithful and replaced Michael Proctor with Jefferson Louis. He made an immediate impact with his presence alone unsettling the Barrow defence.




With quarter of an hour to go the Dragons made the breakthrough. After the latest in a line of Wrexham set-pieces had been half-cleared by Barrow, an Andy Fleming shot deflected into the path of Anoruo and the 17-year-old poked the ball home. It was the teenager’s first senior Wrexham goal, and a real poacher’s one at that.
As Ryan Flynn replaced Silvio Spann the result appeared beyond doubt, the goal a killer-blow to the away side after Barrow had worked so hard. But the Bluebirds kept going and into the 5 additional minutes of stoppage time, won a free-kick.




The ball was punted forward by McGill, only to be headed back into the danger zone by Louis. Barrow substitute Nick Rogan was there to pounce and made no mistake in grabbing the equaliser from close-range. Another last minute goal conceded from a set-piece.
The already sparse Racecourse Ground quickly began to empty while those that stayed vented their dissatisfaction with another poor result and another disappointing performance.




The Dragons look devoid of confidence and ideas at the moment, not helped by the lack of a settled side. Despite the gulf between the two clubs in terms of playing staff and resources it was well-organised, hard-working Barrow who seemed to want it more, and deserved their point.




Everyone now has to lift their spirits ahead of the next home game against Mansfield Town, just 48 hours after this game…