Barrow 1 Grimsby 0

BILLY Waters bagged his first goal since the opening day as he fired Barrow to their first win against Grimsby since 1968.

Josh Kay missed his second penalty in as many games, but striker Waters’ well-taken second-half finished secured the Bluebirds a welcome first win in six league games.

Pete Wild’s side were wasteful in front of goal, but 28-year-old Waters grabbed the all-important winner at a rain-soaked Holker Street.

A first league win since mid September fired AFC to eighth, just a point off the coveted play-off spots despite their dismal recent four-game losing streak.

And it could be the start of a fruitful run for the Cumbrian club, who have picked up four points from a possible six, with home games against Crewe and Colchester on the horizon in the next week.

Boss Wild named an unchanged starting line-up from the side which were forced to settle for a point at Gillingham on Saturday.

Top scorer Josh Gordon returned to the bench after being taken out of the firing line for the weekend trip to Kent for what Wild called a “mental break”.

The Bluebirds flew out of the blocks and were unfortunate not to be ahead early on.

They could have been home and hosed by half-time had it not been for inspired stopper Max Crocombe and some wasteful finishing.

Grimsby goalkeeper Crocombe showed good concentration to snuff out the danger when David Moyo looked set to fire the hosts in front early on.

Patrick Brough charge down the wing but couldn’t quite find the unmarked Ben Whitfield at the back post.

Mariners’ stopper Crocombe did amazingly well to keep the game goalless as he produced a fine stop to deny striker Waters after he was slipped in by Moyo.

Whitfield saw an effort saved for a corner as the Bluebirds continued to bang on the door.

Crocombe did well to tip an effort over before Andy Smith’s sliced clearance hit the bar.

Grimsby eventually cleared after a scramble in the box as Barrow squandered yet another great chance to take the lead.

Moyo was the next to miss a glaring opportunity when his diving header from Whitfield’s free-kick went wide.

The hosts’ frustrations grew just before the break as Crocombe produced his best save yet to keep Kay’s spot kick out with his foot after the midfielder was fouled by Otis Khan in the box.

It was the visitors who went closest to breaking the deadlock after half-time.

This time it was Paul Farman who was called into action as he kept out Ryan Taylor.

Welsh defender George Ray nodded over the bar at the near post on the hour mark.

The Bluebirds continued to push hard for the all-important winner and Wild threw on Gordon with 20 minutes to go to get much-needed goal.

And Waters finally put the hosts ahead with 15 minutes to go as he calmly converted into the far corner from Brough’s curling cross.

Barrow held on for a vital three points.