Barrow AFC 1 Dover Athletic 0

Dior Angus’ 12th and most important goal of the season moved Barrow AFC further clear at the top of the National League as they got their revenge on Dover Athletic art Holker Street.

The breakthrough was a long time in coming for the Bluebirds, as Ashley Maynard-Brewer had an inspired game in the Dover goal for the second time in two weeks to frustrate the hosts for long periods.

Ian Evatt’s side had a long and nervy wait to secure the victory, after an injury to Whites skipper Kevin Lokko led to 11 minutes of stoppage time, but after a hard slog, AFC are now seven points in front.

Barrow made seven changes from their last run-out – the 3-0 loss at Barnet in the FA Trophy – including Dan Jones making his second debut after signing on loan until the end of the season from Salford City.

The Bluebirds made a fast start and carved out their first chance in just the second minute when Patrick Brough couldn’t keep his effort from Josh Kay’s low cross down. It was a case of ‘nearly but not quite’ for AFC early on, as Brough then sent in a terrific ball that Angus couldn’t quite get on the end of in the centre.

The flow went out of the game midway through the half with free kicks breaking things up at regular intervals, preventing either team from creating a clear-cut opportunity.

One finally came from a John Rooney corner that saw Sam Hird’s header cleared off the line by Aaron Simpson before Maynard-Brewer clawed behind the rebound.

Maynard-Brewer was excellent when the teams last met and he was frustrating the Bluebirds again, as he made a good block to deny Kay, who had brilliantly brought down Jones’ long ball.

Despite the home side’s dominance, the game remained goalless at half-time and it remained the case early in the second half when Lokko made a superb block from Rooney’s shot.

Rooney then wasted a big chance from Jones’ long throw when he snatched at his effort from just inside the area, as it remained one-way traffic.

There was then a lengthy delay as Lokko received treatment after being clattered by Maynard-Brewer, as his goalkeeper headed clear a long ball, before being stretchered off.

Just after play resumed, Dover had their first real chance when Inih Effiong teed it up for Jai Reason, whose shot produced a good save from Joel Dixon.

The breakthrough finally came for the Bluebirds after 73 minutes when Lewis Hardcastle played a great ball down the line for Scott Quigley, whose effort was pushed out by Maynard-Brewer into the path of Angus, who gleefully rolled in the rebound.

A second goal should have followed when Rooney unselfishly squared the ball for Quigley, who couldn’t believe it as Maynard-Brewer dived at his feet to make his latest excellent save.

Dover almost took advantage of that let-off when Michael Woods chipped the ball across for substitute Dominic Poleon, whose rising effort from the edge of the area clipped the top of the bar.

However, after a lengthy period of time added on, Barrow could celebrate a very hard-fought win.

Barrow AFC (3-4-1-2): Dixon, Hird, Platt, Jones, Kay, Rooney, White, Brough, Hardcastle (Taylor 90+2), Angus (Harrison 90+6), Quigley (Soule 90).

Subs not used: Brown, Dyson.

Dover Athletic (4-4-2): Maynard-Brewer, Simpson, Lokko (Rooney 62), De Havilland, Ogie, Taylor, Woods, Munns, Reason (Modeste 72), Rigg (Poleon 78), Effiong.

Subs not used: L’Ghoul, Cumberbatch.

Referee: James Bell

Attendance: 2,016

Bluebirds star man: Tom White