Platt stars in late drama
as his wife has just given birth, clocked up a collection of half-chances before the break.
Idris El Mizouni and Luke Hannant tested keeper Joel Dixon and strike pair Paul Mullin, and Ironside both went close.
But there was no doubt Barrow were unlucky not to go in 2-0 up as twice the woodwork saved the U’s.
First, Harrison Biggins pinged a 16th-minute freekick off a post from 25 yards.
And United defender Harry Darling was a relieved man in the 42nd minute when he sliced Josh Kay’s ball into the box towards his own net but keeper Dimi Mitov diverted it onto the underside of the crossbar.
Barrow began the second half with Biggins going close again, but went behind in the 56th minute.
The Bluebirds got caught playing out from the back as Mullin menaced and Dixon’s kick went straight to Ironside, who calmly sidefooted beyond the stranded shot-stopper from 22 yards.
Kay chipped a reply just over as Barrow tried to bite back. And Dixon partially redeemed himself by sliding out to deny League Two top scorer Mullin.
Barrow threw men forward for the rest of the game, with Darling heading Brad Barry’s shot off the line, before Platt headed home the game’s final chance.
MATT PLATT’S last-gasp
Bluebirds goal prevented the U’s from going top.
Joe Ironside’s fourth goal in as many games put
United seconds away from claiming the summit from
Newport, who had the weekend off.
But defender Platt headed home an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time to give Barrow a wellearned point.
Barrow boss David Dunn said: “People are saying we deserved that —
I don’t feel we did. I feel we deserved to win.
“I was gutted when they scored. I was thinking, ‘is that us, we play well but concede sloppy goals?’ but the lads kept their heads up and I’m delighted with all of them.”
The U’s remain in second spot and boss Mark Bonner said: “It feels like a defeat.
We didn’t play so well, certainly with the ball. It was frustrating we weren’t able to see it out.
“We would have been delighted to have nicked the win, but overall they got what they deserved.”
Cambridge, without playmaker Wes Hoolahan
CAMBRIDGE UTD: Mitov 7; Knoyle 7, G Taylor 7, Darling 7, Dunk 7; Hannant 6 (Davies 80), Boateng 7, Digby 7, El Mizouni 6 (Iredale 69, 5); Mullin 7, Ironside 7 ( Cundy).
Subs not used: Burton, Dallas, May, Knibbs.
BARROW: Dixon 6; Hird 7, Platt 7, Brough 7 (Ntlhe 82); Barry 7, J Taylor 6, M Jones 6, Kay 7; Biggins 7 (Reid 88), Angus 6 (Quigley 64, 5), James 6. Subs not used: Lillis, Brown, C Taylor. MAN OF THE MATCH: Matt Platt (Barrow) Kept going til the end to nab his side a deserved
Joshua Smith 6.