BARROW 3 SALFORD CITY 2

STRIKER Jacob Blyth put over a year of hardship behind him as his last-gasp header settled an absolute humdinger Barrow’s way and inflict Salford’s fourth straight defeat.

Blyth’s goals – the first two he has struck for the Bluebirds – was the main story in a lunchtime full of different narratives. The striker has had to go through a lengthy injury nightmare to have such a moment of euphoria.

It also got Barrow out of jail somewhat, as they had twice allowed the ten-man Ammies, who’d had midfielder Gus Mafuta sent off in the first half, to level the match in front of a jumping Holker Street.

“Jacob is one of the most positive things to come out of today,” said Bluebirds manager Ian Evatt.

“He was out injured for 18 months, we signed him in the summer and he breaks his shoulder in the first game in the first couple of minutes of preseason.

“Then he’s had illness, his dad’s been ill, he’s been through a lot of pain, the kid, but I believe in him, I trust him and I’ve told him that all along and today he’s repaid me with a fantastic performance.”

Blyth gave Barrow the lead from the penalty spot after Liam Hogan was harshly judged to have handled Jack Hindle’s shot, with Salford going into the second half a man light after Mafuta’s lunge on Jason Taylor.

They still managed to equalise after 59 minutes as new signing Matt Green opened his account for them, the striker firing a stunning long-range strike into the top corner.

Kemy Agustien arguably topped that with an outrageous dipping effort with eight minutes left, but Ibou Touray squared it up again almost immediately.

However, there was one final twist in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Blyth rose highest to meet Josh Kay’s cross and send the place into raptures.

Salford boss Graham Alexander said: “The way of the game changed on the first big decision, which the referee got wrong.

“The penalty he’s given hit Hogues on the chest, as we’ve seen in the replay, and gone for a corner, so that was a bad decision.”