Barrow AFC 1 Maidstone United 0

Not for the first time, Tyler Smith proved to be Barrow AFC’s hero, as the top scorer’s poacher’s effort gave Ian Evatt’s side their third win in four games, despite them being reduced to ten men.

Having climbed into the top half of the National League last week, it was vital that the Bluebirds maintain their recent momentum, not least because it had been two months since their last home win.

They had to tough things out in filthy conditions at Holker Street that might explain the paltry attendance of 804, though on the balance of play this was another fully merited three points.

They flirted with danger at the end after Rhys Norrington-Davies was harshly sent off for a professional foul, but if anything that just refocused minds, defensively. AFC are a soft touch no more.

Just as in the last two games, there was one enforced change for the Bluebirds, with Brian Wilson, just recovered from a calf injury, coming in for captain Josh Granite, who’d been struggling through a toe problem.

An excellent pass by Kemy Agustien picked out Jacob Blyth in fourth minute, with the big striker denied by a good save by Ross Worner, who managed to get up quickly and keep out Blyth’s follow-up as well.

It was a fast start by Barrow, who were playing against a strong wind, with Worner – one of three players making his debut for Maidstone – having to dive bravely at the feet of Smith.

But Maidstone grew into the contest and it was their turn to come close twice in quick succession, as Joel Dixon did well to keep out Jake Robinson’s header before Jake Cassidy smacked the post with the rebound.

AFC then lost Jason Taylor after he took a elbow to the face, with Steve Jennings replacing him in midfield halfway through the first half.

Cassidy had another great chance for the Stones after 26 minutes, but he could only thump a free header from Sean Shields’ free kick straight at Dixon.

It wasn’t quite falling for Blyth in front of goal, as he just couldn’t stretch enough to meet Jack Barthram’s teasing cross with a diving header.

Worner, on loan from Sutton United, then ended the half the way he began it, as he did brilliantly to tip away a low curler from Smith that he could only have seen at the last possible moment.

The goals at either end were leading a charmed life, with Blyth’s flicked header from Agustien’s free kick coming back off the post less than two minutes after the restart.

The Bluebirds were doing most of the pressing and finally had their reward after 62 minutes when John Rooney laid the ball off for Agustien, whose rather tame shot was fumbled by Worner.

From the goalkeeper’s perspective, the worst possible player was sniffing around as Smith swooped to tap in the rebound for his 11th goal of the campaign.

Agustien quickly had another shot at goal from outside the area, but Worner made absolutely sure that this one wasn’t going to escape from his grasp.

But Barrow were sensing blood and substitute Rhys Turner really should have done better when Smith rolled the ball into his path, but miscued his effort poorly from the edge of the area.

Worner’s eventful afternoon then turned for the better again when Norrington-Davies’ cross found Jack Hindle at the back post, with the ‘keeper saving with his legs to keep his side in the game.

But the victory was suddenly put into jeopardy with six minutes left when Norrington-Davies was shown a straight red card for pulling back Elliott Romain just when the Stones striker was going past him.

Thankfully, Maidstone’s somewhat limited attack wasn’t able to create anything against AFC’s remaining ten players and another deserved victory was secured.

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Wilson, Jones, Jameson, Barthram, Rooney, Taylor (Jennings 23), Agustien, Norrington-Davies, Rooney (Turner 69), Blyth, Smith (Hindle 77)

Subs not used: Brown, Burgess

Maidstone United (3-4-1-2): Worner, Wassmer (Romain 77), Swaine, McLennan, Shields, Phillips, Walton (Paxman 85), Wishart, Muldoon (Tajbakhsh 57), Cassidy, Robinson

Subs not used: De Havilland, Powell

Referee: Joe Johnson

Attendance: 804