FC Halifax Town saw their winless streak continue, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Barrow AFC at MBi Shay Stadium.
An instant impact from substitute Jordan White less than a minute into his cameo from the bench earned the away side a vital victory and condemned The Shaymen to another defeat in the National League.
A desolate opening saw neither team able to assert themselves in the early exchanges, as The Shaymen battled to claim an elusive first National League victory since September.
Buoyed by consecutive wins away from home, Barrow nearly marched ahead with Bradley Bauress’ searching cross crucially hacked clearly by the outstretched Scott Garner as momentum began to build in The Bluebirds’ favour.
Despite Barrow ramping up the attacking pressure, a speculative 25-yard volley from Danny Clarke floated narrowly wide of Barrow shot-stopper Stuart Moore’s left post as Halifax looked to battle back into contention.
Having been nullified in the opening 25 minutes, Town talisman Tom Denton’s header flashed agonisingly wide of the far post – sparking an offensive purple patch for the host as the pendulum swung towards Billy Heath’s side in a back-and-forth encounter.
A muted MBi Shay Stadium was electrified on the half-hour mark courtesy of a spectacular effort from Scott Garner, who launched a wondrous 40-yard strike towards the back-pedalling Moore inches over the crossbar as the home team continued peppering the opposition goalmouth.
Seconds later, Halifax were somehow denied an opener, with Josh Wilde rifling a scintillating shot from the edge of the box against the inside of the post – before Tranmere loanee George Waring saw his effort on the rebound brilliantly turned over from six yards by the diving Moore.
A relentless wave of attacking pressure continued as The Shaymen laid siege to the Barrow box, again rejected by the woodwork as Ben Tomlinson lashed his salvo against the underside of the bar as the away side yet again escaped conceding.
The sluggish Shaymen couldn’t maintain their momentum to open the second-half, with Barrow’s Adi Yussuf pouncing on a loose ball in the Halifax ranks before swathes of blue shirts vitally blocked the frontman’s route to goal.
With both sides in desperate pursuit of a timely opener, another incisive last-gasp tackle from Wilde prevented the menacing Yussuf from breaking through on goal alone as Barrow probed for a third straight road win.
As the tension continued to rise heading into the final third of play, The Shaymen spurned a gilt-edged opportunity with Danny Clarke unable to keep his composure inside the area – striking a tame effort wide of the far post from close-range as Town continued to waste opportunities to claim a potential winner.
Midfield man Josh MacDonald – in search of a first goal in Shaymen blue after 100 Town appearances – latched onto a pinpoint through ball from Jake Hibbs before being beaten to possession by Moore who sprinted out of his box to clear the danger.
After failing to capitalise on their endless chances, Halifax were inevitably punished by their Cumbrian counterparts. Super-sub Jordan White rose highest to connect with Bauress’ deadly delivery seconds into his cameo from the bench as Barrow powered ahead as Halifax’s hopes of ending their winless run evaporated.
Barrow continued to pile on the pressure as Halifax were battered to their knees late-on, with the away side holding on to earn a vital three points whilst The Shaymen slumped to a twelfth game without victory in the National League.
13 Tom Nicholson, 36 Josh Clackstone, 3 Josh Wilde, 5 Matty Brown ©, 6 Scott Garner, 9 Tom Denton, 14 Ben Tomlinson (35 Harry Middleton 55′), 15 Josh MacDonald (16 Adam Morgan 68′), 38 George Waring (10 Connor Oliver 77′), 20 Jake Hibbs, 18 Danny Clarke
Subs Not Used: 2 Cliff Moyo, 27 Jack Atkinson
1 Stuart Moore, 17 Paul Bignot, 8 Calum MacDonald, 5 Jimmy Dunne, 6 Moussa Diarra, 15 Harry Panayiotou, 14 Asa Hall ©, 23 Bedsente Gomis, 10 Adul Yussuf (9 Jordan White 68′), 20 Byron Harrison, 11 Bradley Bauress (21 Jack Barthram 88)
Subs Not Used: 12 Joel Dixon, 16 Grant Holt, 19 Tony Diagne
Goals: Jordan White 69′
Yellow Cards: Jake Hibbs 83 mins, Asa Hall 84, Tom Denton 84
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1618 (110 away)
Full Time: FC Halifax Town 0 Barrow 1
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