Great Scott caps a comeback
BARROW manager Ian Evatt saw his side produce a fantastic response to falling behind against Torquay, as their latest victory extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
Scott Quigley’s superb lob completed a quick turnaround from the Bluebirds, who extended their unbeaten run to 18 in all competitions against the last team to have taken three points off them.
For seven minutes, the Gulls threatened to complete a double over the leaders after Kyle Cameron put them ahead at Holker Street, only for John Rooney’s 19th goal of the season to cancel that out.
It means the Gulls’ controversial opener was not the main talking point post-match, with everyone talking about Barrow taking another big step towards the Football League instead.
said: “The conditions were awful today, the pitch wasn’t great to be honest, it was dry and bobbly and it wasn’t really conducive to the way we want to play football.
“However, good teams always find a way and I think the injustice of having a goal given against us just woke us up.
“We found a way and the character and belief of the players is immense and I’m just so proud of every single one of them.
“I’m Scott Quigley’s biggest critic and his biggest fan. When he plays like that, he is unstoppable.”
Torquay almost went ahead after just three minutes when Asa Hall’s flicked header from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans’ corner was cleared off the line by Lewis Hardcastle.
Barrow’s best chance of a tight first half came when Hardcastle played the ball through for Josh Kay, who dragged his shot just wide of the goal.
The opening goal after 63 minutes was a major flashpoint as Kyle Cameron turned in Hall’s cut-back, but his joy looked set to be short-lived when the linesman raised his flag.
However, referee Elliott Swallow overruled his assistant by giving the goal, much to the fury of the hosts.
They channelled that anger in the right way, as they drew level in the 71st minute when Brad Barry’s cross flicked off a defender into the path of Rooney, who smashed a brilliant half-volEvatt ley into the top corner.
Four minutes later, Quigley put Barrow in front for the first time when he saw Lucas Covolan slightly off his line and chipped it over him from just inside the area.
Torquay boss Gary Johnson said: “There were a few controversial situations that nobody could quite understand what was going on, but that’s something we can’t sort out ourselves.
“I’m pleased the goal was given because that put us 1-0 up against a top-of-the-league team and I was expecting us to carry on in the same vein and get another chance as they pushed forward.”