BARROW 3, DONCASTER 2

Barrow returned to winning ways as goals from Tyrell Warren, Ged Garner and Emile Acquah secured three hard-fought points against in-form Rovers.

Twice, Pete Wild’s side led by two goals but a stoppage time strike by substitute Mo Faal ensured four nervous minutes before victory was confirmed.

Warren opened the home account after 12 minutes before Garner doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute.

Joe Ironside pulled a goal back for the visitors but ex non league star Acquah eased the nerves with his landmark goal five minutes from time.

However, Faal put the outcome back in the balance as two last-gasp corners had to be defended before the result was confirmed. It was an exciting end to a game full of incident.

Robbie Gotts and Rovers’ former AFC midfielder, Harrison Biggins, loosed off early shots with Paul Farman denying the latter’s low drive.

And the game’s first booking led to the opening goal. Ben Close’s challenge on Kian Spence brought a yellow card from referee Scott Oldham and moments later Warren jumped highest to convert Elliot Newby’s left wing cross.

The Holker Street crowd of 3, 502 joined in a 15th minute applause for lifelong fan Ian Worthington who died earlier in the month

Warren became the second name in Mr Oldham’s book after 21 minutes but his mistimed tackle on Lee Molyneux didn’t result in an equaliser.

Doncaster’s Zain Westbrooke’s petulance at conceding a foul brought the contest’s latest caution though Dean Campbell’s free kick from a promising position only saw a flag raised for offside. Mr Oldham made plenty of work for himself, booking Biggins for a push and then brandishing his fifth yellow of the half to Garner for kicking the ball away.

In between, the dangerous Molyneux centred from Barrow’s right edge and Tom Nixon’s left foot effort from 10 yards was crucially deflected away for a corner.

Molyneux’s trickery manufactured a chance for Close but the effort was blocked.

An injury to Campbell provided opportunity for manager Wild to shuffle the formation with Campbell and Newby switching wings to try and counteract Molyneux’s threat.

Barrow finished the half defending four successive stoppage-time corners until Molyneux’s wayward shot brought it to an end.

While there were no changes during the break, Doncaster kicked-off with Molyneux rotated to continue his attack at Warren.

But it was Barrow who doubled their advantage six minutes into the half. Louis Jones was penalised for carrying the ball outside his area and Garner’s fiercely-struck free kick took a deflection off the wall and into the goal.

There was no let-up in the action with Jason Taylor booked in the home technical area and Ironside heading Rovers level after Nixon’s cross wasn’t cleared.

Despite the equaliser, the visitors made four changes in the 58th minute; Wild responding shortly after by withdrawing Warren and Gotts and bringing on Luca Stephenson and Sam Foley.

Gotts had already added to Barrow’s booking tally with Kian Spence following in the 64thminute.

Nineteen minutes from time Ben Whitfield and Emile Acquah were introduced and Acquah made his mark by finishing superbly when put through by Foley.

Faal’s 94th goal put the outcome in doubt but Barrow held on for a vital win.