Barrow clinched a potentially crucial victory away at bottom placed Scunthorpe United as John Rooney’s goal on the stroke of half time proved the difference at Sands Venue Stadium.

The in-form midfield star helped himself to his third goal since returning to the Club in January as The Bluebirds held on for an important three points against a Scunthorpe side who played for 70 minutes with ten men.

Mark Cooper’s side also finished a man light when Tom Beadling picked up a second yellow in the 90^th minute and Barrow had to hang on a little at the death but they got over the line to move six points clear of the bottom two.

The home side came out of the traps quickly and had a half chance inside the first minute when Tyrese Sinclair ducked inside from the right only to drive his shot over the bar at the near post.

The Bluebirds, cheered on by a noisy following, settled into the game but there wasn’t much for either side during a tense opening, though Robbie Gotts did come close to scoring when he let fly on the stretch after a knock-down from Aaron Amadi-Holloway but his effort went too high.

There was a turning point on 22 minutes though when Scunthorpe’s Grant lunged in on Gordon and referee Tom Reeves was positioned well and adjudged the challenge to be worthy of a straight red card.

It took a while for the hosts to clear their heads following the setback and Amadi-Holloway sent a header on goal from the resultant free kick which was held by keeper Rory Watson.

Gordon then could have further upset the home fans when he bundled his way through on goal only to see his first effort brilliantly parried by Watson and his follow-up superbly blocked on the line by recovering defender George Taft.

Anthony Glennon’s inswinging corner almost caught Watson out when it kissed the cross bar on its way over before The Iron stopper made another excellent save to deny Amadi-Holloway after a great link-up between Robbie Gotts and Ollie Banks down the right.

Banks then tried to add another contender to his own personal Goal of the Season competition when he stepped into space 25 yards from goal, but he sent a low drive wide of the post.

It looked as though Scunthorpe would make it through to the break unscathed – but John Rooney had other ideas. Patrick Brough got to the byline on the left and drilled a low cross back to Gordon who neatly cushioned it into the path of Rooney, and he slid a clinical finish across Watson and into the bottom corner.

Gotts could have made it 2-0 on 53 minutes when Rooney threaded a lovely pass through to him, but the Bluebirds star saw his low strike well blocked away by Watson with his feet.

Seconds later, Tom Beadling had a chance after some lovely football around the edge of the box provided the midfield man with a sight of goal, but he sent his effort the wrong side of the post.

Amadi-Holloway had the next opportunity after Beadling played a ball into the area where it was turned round the corner first time by Banks to the Bluebirds striker, but his powerful shot flashed just wide of the post.

Gordon got in on the right side of the area on 76 minutes after great work from Banks but again keeper Watson was alert and he charged from his line to block the striker’s effort.

Brough’s dangerous cross from the left found Amadi-Holloway whose header was cleared away only as far as Gotts and his powerful drive was parried away well by the overworked Watson.

In the final minute, Barrow were also reduced to ten when a late challenge from Beadling meant the referee dug into his pocket for a second yellow card – and that gave the hosts added impetus.

A corner was parried clear by Farman but kept alive on the edge of the box and the Bluebirds keeper had to show good handling to gather a shot from Harvey Cribb to protect the clean sheet.

The Iron forced a last-gasp corner for which even Watson joined those waiting in the middle but The Bluebirds dealt with the delivery and the final whistle sounded to signal a huge away win.

Full Time: Scunthorpe United 0 Barrow 1

Scunthorpe United: Watson, O’Malley (Lewis 32), Delaney, Taft, Nuttall (Pyke 76), Rowe, Sinclair, Feeney, Burns (Hackney 46), Grant, Cribb.
Subs not used: Foster, Beestin, Bunn, Hackney, Young.

Sent-off: Grant, Watson.

Barrow: Farman, Gotts, Platt, Canavan, Brough, Glennon, Beadling, Banks, Rooney, Amadi-Holloway, Gordon.
Subs not used: Hutton, White, Williams, Stevens, Wakeling, Sea.

Booked: Beadling, Brough.

Sent-off: Beadling.

Referee: Tom Reeves

Attendance: 2,009 (150 Barrow)