Exciting encounter sees Barrow promoted

Barrow achieved promotion to the Blue Square Premier with a 1-0 victory over Stalybridge on Friday night in the Blue Square North play-off final.

An attendance of 2,530 fans turned up for what turned out to be an exciting contest, with both sides eager to seal promotion.

Barrow had the better of the early exchanges, but they could not capitalise on their early chances.

Without the game producing any clear-cut chances in the first half, both sides managed to play some entertaining football.

The second half started at a frantic pace, with both sides sensing that the match was their for the taking.

It was Barrow, however, who made the telling breakthrough in the 58th minute.

Stalybridge's Garner brought down Henney 30 yards from goal. Boyd was the man handed the responsibility of taking the resulting free-kick and he sent his delivery into the mixer where Henney was on hand to bundle home the opener.

That goal sent the game into overdrive, as both sides stepped up a gear.

Efforts came thick and fast, but both defences were up to the task of keeping the opposition attackers at bay.

When the final whistle blew it was pandemonium on the part of the Barrow supporters as they stormed the field to congratulate their heroes on their achievement of promotion to the Blue Square Premier.