Cambridge United secured a priceless three points as they came away from Barrow by stealing a 1-0 win. Debutant Scott Neilson was the goalscorer fifteen minutes from time after being played through by Danny Crow, while Carlos Logan was sent off for Barrow late on.
United made three changes from Tuesday's draw with league leaders Oxford. Dan Gleeson and David Partridge both missed out, replaced by Josh Coulson and Kevin Roberts respectively, with Roberts starting for the first time since joining from Chester. Scott Neilson made an immediate debut in place of Sam Ives on the right, while former U's Phil Bolland and Lee McEvilly took up places in defence and on the bench respectively.
After an impeccably observed period of silence for highly respected Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander, the action commenced with United defending the goal behind which their fans were congregated.
Within two minutes they almost had the lead in bizarre circumstances as opposing captain Paul Jones headed a corner into his own bar under no pressure from a United player.
With position shared equally between the sides in the opening period, it wasn't until twenty minutes in that the next opportunity arose. Andy Bond connected with a pile driver of a freekick and Simon Brown will have been pleased to see it fly just wide of his left hand post.
Despite almost taking the early lead, United found themselves outplayed throughout the first period, with Rory McAuley's thirty yard strike being as close to an opening as they could muster, but his left footed effort was just over the bar. Carlos Logan also fired over at the other end in a half of limited chances.
Josh Coulson made one outstanding challenge in the centre circle to prevent a clear Barrow break before half time arrived with United second best in a poor game of football.
The second half started with both sides appealing in vain for penalties that were never likely to be given, before Barrow proceeded to dominate the following twenty minutes. Five corners arrived in less than fifteen minutes after the break before they created the chance they had been striving for, Simon Brown forced into action and making a fine save to deny Nick Chadwick.
Danny Crow created United's first chance since the second minute of the game, bringing the ball out of defence and firing over, before the same player forced Tim Deasy into action after good work by Roberts. Calum Willock made his way on soon afterwards to replace Phillips and within a few moments United took the lead.
Despite being comprehensively outplayed, Danny Crow found the time to measure an excellent through ball, and with Scott Neilson scampering infield he timed his run to perfection and lifted a delightful finish over Deasy and into the net.
The U's could have finished it soon afterwards as Josh Coulson twice went close. First he headed over from within the six yard box and then saw his shinned effort cleared off the line, before sub Lee McEvilly raced clear against his old club before dragging his effort wide.
As time began to run down on the hosts, they found themselves down to ten men in the last minute of the ninety, Rory McAuley clattered by Carlos Logan and the winger earned himself a second yellow card.
Four minutes of time was added on and Barrow won two corners and a freekick in the corner in quick succession, but the colossal Coulson was central to seeing out the danger. The final whistle followed soon after to mark a massive win for Martin Ling's side in their bid for survival.
Man of the Match: Josh Coulson. An absolute rock at the back in a rare clean sheet for United. David Partridge may be a doubt for Tuesday's trip to Kettering but when he returns he has a fight on his hands to get back into the line-up if Coulson maintains his current form.
Full minute-by-minute account below.
Matt Ramsay
14.15 Afternoon everybody and welcome to Holker Street for this afternoon's crunch Blue Square Premier fixture between Barrow and Cambridge United. Team news to follow as it arrives.
14.25 The United fans are housed at the opposite end of the ground as they were last year, with a larger open terrace rather than the shallow stepped terrace they held last year. Chris Holroyd scored both goals in a 2-0 win for United that night, while Barrow gained revenge with a 2-0 win at The Abbey on the opening day of this season.
14.40 Team news. No Dan Gleeson for United today so Kevin Roberts replaces him for his first start for the club. Scott Neilson makes an immediate debut in place of Sam Ives. Josh Coulson also returns to the eleven in place of the injured David Partridge. Former U Phil Bolland starts for Barrow, with Lee McEvilly on the bench,
Barrow: Tim Deasy; Simon Spender, Gareth Jelleyman, Paul Jones (c), Phil Bolland; Carlos Logan, Paul Rutherford, Robin Hulbert, Andy Bond; Jason Walker, Nick Chadwick.
Subs: Stuart Tomlinson, Mark Boyd, Mike Pearson, Lee McEvilly, Greg Blundell.
CUFC: Simon Brown; Aiden Palmer, Kevin Roberts, Josh Coulson, Brian Saah; Paul Carden, Rory McAuley, Scott Neilson, Simon Russell; Lee Phillips, Danny Crow.
Subs: Mark Beesley, Jai Reason, Sam Ives, Calum Willock, Laurie Walker.
Referee: T Harrington.
14.53 Given the distance travelled (the coach left at 7.30 this morning) there's a good turnout in the away end this afternoon, and they're currently being sunned. That said, there are some dark clouds coming from behind them.
14.54 There'll be a period of silence before kickoff for Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander who passed away this week.
14.58 The teams are out with both sides sporting their traditional colours, Barrow in their white shirts and blue shorts while Martin Ling's side are in their amber sash outfit. Despite illness earlier this week, Martin Ling takes his place in the away dugout.
15.02 After an impeccable minute's silence we're underway with United kicking off.
15.03 After defending an early long throw United take the ball up to the other end and win a corner, Phil Bolland nearly putting into his own net. From the corner United almost take the lead through an own goal again: Paul Jones rattling his own bar with an unchallenged header.
15.07 The ball almost finds its way to Nick Chadwick in the middle but it runs just past him and Aiden Palmer can scramble the ball out. Rather than clearing the danger United concede a freekick, from which Simon Brown is forced to punch clear at his back post.
15.09 Jordan Patrick has given CRC an early lead at Norwich United.
15.11 Josh Coulson flicks on a huge Rory McAuley throw and Danny Crow wins a freekick as the ball is cleared. From that, Scott Neilson flicks a header wide. 140 away fans today, good going for a team whose last away win in the league was in August.
15.14 CRC have a second already through Jack Bailey, two days before he turns eighteen. Aiden Palmer turns into trouble and has to concede a throw near the corner flag.
15.16 Rory McAuley plays a lovely one-two with Scott Neilson and finds some space to run into, but his attempted cross is nodded away before it reaches Danny Crow. Play goes on and Crow wins another freekick, to the increasing annoyance of the home fans in front of the press box.
15.18 As many updates from Norwich United as from here, Adam Marriott puts CRC 3-0 up within twenty minutes. Carlos Logan looks dangerous on the right wing before Paul Carden gets back well to help Palmer out in the corner.
15.20 A handball on the edge of the box hands Barrow a freekick in a dangerous position. Andy Bond smashes his effort and Simon Brown is helpless as the ball flies marginally wide of the far post.
15.26 Danny Crow does well to win a corner of Phil Bolland after two attempted clearances are closed down. Russell's corner is headed over by Brian Saah.
15.27 Kevin Roberts shows his defensive capabilities with an excellent recovery challenge on Nick Chadwick after the striker looks to have got away from him.
15.29 Danny Crow looks to be going nowhere before producing a reverse pass that nearly frees Phillips before a defender takes charge and kicks for cover. The throw is cleared and Aiden Palmer lofts an aimless pass back in which goes out for a goalkick.
15.31 Brian Saah fouls Chadwick about three times in as many seconds on the centre circle, and after a lengthy chat from Mr Harrington he escapes a booking. The freekick is cleared and Lee Phillips smashes a huge clearance straight back to goalkeeper Deasy. His ball forward is handled by Brian Saah, who finally goes into the book.
15.34 United can't keep hold of the ball and are constantly encouraging to be played back into their own half.
15.35 Josh Coulson reads the game well to make a vital interception to stop Andy Bond's through ball splitting the defence. United try to work their way forward but Scott Neilson is shepherded out of play.
15.38 Aiden Palmer yet again turns into trouble and is rather fortunate to be clattered by Chadwick. Paul Carden lamps a pass twenty yards too far forward.
15.40 Kevin Roberts covers well to concede a corner and then heads the delivery away as well, while United gain some respite after a foul for a push. Lee Phillips attempts to scamper down the left wing and wins a throw in ten yards from the byeline. Barrow break and Paul Carden stops the attack with a fine challenge.
15.42 An opportunity for Barrow when United fail to clear their lines. Brian Saah clears and Rory McAuley is caught out by being beaten to the ball. Carlos Logan fires the loose ball over. United bring the ball forward but Simon Russell is all on his own with no support, and eventually slips on the byeline.
15.46 With Barrow looking to break and with two players free on the right Josh Coulson makes an exceptional challenge to stop the surge, and United even win the throw. One minute has been added on at the end of the half.
15.48 That's half time. There's no real positive spin to put on it, the game's been dire so far and United have been second best.
HALF TIME Barrow 0-0 Cambridge United.
16.04 The Barrow fans have changed ends at half time and we're back underway, United shooting towards their own fans.
16.06 Aiden Palmer concedes a freekick which is whipped in from the right and Lee Phillips flicks a header just wide of his own far post. Twice in this game there's almost been an own goal in the opening stages of a half.
16.09 Barrow have started the second half as they ended the first- well on top. They win a right wing corner which evades everyone before being scrambled out by Coulson. The referee gives the cheapest of freekicks to Barrow thirty yards out for an alleged foul by Neilson. Carlos Logan, who scored from a freekick at The Abbey on the opening day of the season, lifts his effort over the wall but wide.
16.11 Appeals for a penalty as Josh Coulson is beaten by the bounce and Brian Saah stoops to head under pressure from Chadwick, but there are appeals that it was Saah's hands and not his head that made the touch.
16.13 It's United's turn to appeal as Danny Crow goes down in the area, but it's an optimistic shout. Barrow bring the ball out and win yet another corner, which is whipped in but with too much pace and it goes out for a goalkick.
16.14 Three Barrow players surround the referee in a rather unsporting manner after a foul by Paul Carden, and Mr Harrington does indeed get his card out. Two bookings in two games for United's captain.
16.17 Yet another right wing corner pens United back once more, and the clearance leaves Danny Crow with no chance as he attempts to cover the entire Barrow half unaided.
16.18 Brian Saah pushes forward and is caught out as Chadwick races through on the right, but his shot lacks power and precision as it goes wide. They come again and win their seventh corner, but this time the delivery is poor. A penalty has reduced CRC's lead to 3-1.
16.21 United are being comprehensively outplayed. Yet another corner (five since half time) arrives but is seen out for a goalkick.
16.22 Barrow get the chance they've been waiting for as Brian Saah is strolled past by Chadwick, who runs through on goal but sees his effort tipped wide by a fine save by Simon Brown, who also holds the resulting corner under pressure.
16.25 United create their first chance since the second minute of the game, Danny Crow bringing the ball out of defence, cutting inside and firing over from just outside the box.
16.28 Tim Deasy is forced into making a save for possibly the first time today, turning Kevin Roberts' cross towards goal, but it's a comfortable save. Calum Willock is on his way on before too long.
16.29 Another chance for The U's, a freekick being half cleared and falling to Brian Saah, who connects with the ball on the fall and sends the ball well over. Willock makes his way on for Lee Phillips.
16.31 Paul Carden makes a good block to stop a surge but the ball comes to Andy Bond, who wins a Barrow corner from Roberts, this time on the left wing.
16.32 GOAL Barrow 0-1 Cambridge United. The U's have been thoroughly outplayed but have the lead! Scott Neilson marks his debut with a goal, running onto Danny Crow's through ball to lift a beautiful finish over Deasy and into the net.
16.34 Lee McEvilly comes on for Barrow, and the home fans make their opinions felt at their disagreement with the decision to take Chadwick off.
16.36 Josh Coulson could have finished it, just failing to stay underneath Neilson's cross and heading over from two yards.
16.39 Today's attendance is 1325, of which 140 are from Cambridge. Ten minutes remain.
16.41 Neilson wins a corner on the right and Barrow's fans cheer sarcastically as they send two men forward. The corner leads to another flag-kick, and Josh Coulson shins an effort which is cleared off the line. Barrow break and the ball falls to Lee McEvilly charging down on goal, and his left footed effort goes well wide, to sighs of relief from United's support.
16.45 Another chance for Barrow, the outstanding Josh Coulson clearing the initial danger before closing McEvilly down enough to see the forward head over from the resultant ball back in.
16.47 RED CARD. Josh Coulson wins another fine tackle on Logan, and the Barrow winger promptly clatters Rory McAuley and is immediately shown a second yellow card.
16.50 Four minutes of time to be added on, and a freekick from the right is wasted as McEvilly needlessly pushes Roberts at the back post. Barrow win a corner and push men forward. The ball goes all the way through, but Danny Crow commits a foul by the corner flag and is booked. Coulson heads the freekick behind for another corner.
16.54 That's it! United's support goes mental behind the goal as they see the game out. It's their first away win in the league since August. Neilson's goal sealed the win but a memorable defensive display in the second half will be remembered just as fondly.
FULL TIME: Barrow 0-1 Cambridge United.
