Barrow fell to defeat at Harrogate Town as the North Yorkshire outfit celebrated three points on their return to their home stadium thanks to Jack Muldoon’s first half goal.

The Bluebirds were dealt a blow before kick-off when it was confirmed that David Dunn had tested positive for COVID-19 and, with Assistant Manager Rob Kelly also isolating, the reins were handed temporarily to Sam Hird and Craig Rutherford.

Kgose Ntlhe and Matty Platt returned to the line-up following injury to boost Barrow though and they replaced Mike Jones and Dior Angus in the starting eleven.

Barrow were first to show their teeth in an attacking sense as Patrick Brough found space to stride out of defence and let fly with a powerful shot which deflected wide, before Yoan Zouma volleyed over from a corner.

However, The Bluebirds were dealt an early blow when a strong challenge on Lewis Hardcastle resulted in the skipper being helped from the field and Jason Taylor came on in his place.

Things got worse on 22 minutes when Town centre-back Will Smith lifted a long ball over the top and Jack Muldoon raced clear of the Barrow defence and rifled a first time shot beyond Joel Dixon to give the home side the lead.

It could have been 2-0 shortly afterwards when Smith got free in the box to meet a free-kick in from the right but the defender glanced his header wastefully wide.

The hosts were in control at that stage without really creating anything too much more in front of goal, though they did look menacing at times with deliveries in to the Bluebirds box.

Barrow finished the first half the stronger though and could have been level when Josh Kay brilliantly danced his way past a defender in the box before hitting a low shot towards the far bottom corner which Town keeper James Belshaw did superbly to parry away.

Kay then turned provider right on the half time whistle when he teed up Chris Taylor for the shot but his twenty-yard effort flew just too high.

Town started the second half on the front foot and their lead could have been doubled but for a smart save from Dixon who got down well to his right to turn away Lloyd Kerry’s low drive.

Another injury blow made things more difficult for The Bluebirds on the hour as Tom Beadling hobbled off before more good goalkeeping from Dixon kept Harrogate at bay from a free-kick.

Barrow gambled as time wore on and Dior Angus came on to replace Zouma but it was Town who continued to look the more likely scorers and only another fine save from Dixon denied Muldoon following good work down the left from substitute Brendan Kiernan.

Muldoon’s runs were causing a huge problem and he lashed another effort wide before testing Dixon with a low show after catching Barrow out on the counter-attack.

There was almost drama right at the end of five minutes of stoppage time when the ball fell loose for Angus at the back post but he could only force an effort in to the side netting and Harrogate held on for three points.

Full Time: Harrogate Town 1 Barrow 0

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Fallowfield, Falkingham, Smith, Burrell, Thomson, Stead (Martin 72), Kerry, Muldoon, Miller (Kiernan 66), Hall.
Subs not used: Jones, Cracknell, Kirby, Walker.

Barrow: Dixon, Brough, Platt, Hardcastle (J Taylor 19), Kay, Beadling (Biggins 58), Zouma (Angus 72), Ntlhe, Barry, C Taylor, James.
Subs not used: Lillis, Brown, M Jones.

Booked: Zouma, Barry.

Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors