Barrow joint-manager Dave Bayliss paid credit to Cambridge United's players for putting his men under pressure and working hard despite the previous week's off-field departures and disruption.

Barrow ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a Carlos Logan free kick and a Jason Walker penalty in the last minute, and despite the 53rd minute sending-off of Sean Newton after two yellow cards.

"We knew from the start we would be under a lot of pressure,," said Bayliss. "The players have dug in deep and to go in at half time nil-nil was really pleasing. I thought there were a couple of dubious decisions given by the referee on both sides, and even though we got one sent off the major decision went for us.

"We came here always knowing that we would get something out of the game and even when Sean Newton got sent off I thought that just made us stronger and galvanized us. We stuck together and in the end deserved the win."

United had chances to score and were also denied some convincing penalty appeals, particularly when Andy Parkinson was hauled back by his shirt inside the area, but found it hard to break down the visitors and to beat goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

"We played better with the ten men and kept the ball a lot better," admitted Bayliss. "We found in the first half when we did get possession we gave it away and made some rash choices in our distribution. In the second half we knew we had to play more football and when we did we kept the ball really well.

"The lads dug deep and that was a fantastic performance out there against the side who lost the play-off final last year. To get three points is a fantastic start and those points go to making us three points nearer safety from relegation."

Bayliss also spoke highly of Paul Carden, taking charge of first team matters for the second time following the departures of Gary Brabin earlier in pre-season and then Martin Ling last week.

"There aren't many sides that will come here and win this season and Paul Carden has done a fantastic job with all the off the pitch distractions to get his side working together so well. They worked exceptionally hard for him in the first half and in all honesty we nicked the win with a fantastic free kick from Carlos Logan and a penalty when they were pushing for the equalizer.

"It shows how well Cambridge played that our keeper was our best player, but we'll take any result we can get. Teams came to us last year and nicked results so it evens itself out over time."

United are in action again at Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday at 7.45pm.

[Match report] [Fixture list]

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