Barrow were beaten narrowly during their second pre-season friendly as League One outfit Blackpool ran out 2-1 victors at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday.
After a 4-0 triumph at Holker Old Boys at the weekend, the clash with Blackpool marked a step-up in preparations for David Dunn’s side and they gave a good account of themselves during what was a fairly competitive encounter at times.
Blackpool enjoyed the greater possession during the opening exchanges but struggled to make any headway against a resolute Barrow defence.
Grant Ward flashed a venomous shot wide of Joel Dixon’s goal but it was Lewis Hardcastle that came closest to opening the scoring on 17 minutes when his low free-kick from twenty yards was well parried by home keeper Chris Maxwell.
A flowing move saw Barrow switch the ball from left to right where Jack Hindle cut inside to find room for a shot but his left-foot effort went wide of the post.
At the other end, there was a big opening for CJ Hamilton as he got in behind the Barrow defence but Joel Dixon spread himself brilliantly to make the save.
However, Blackpool kept the pressure on and went in front eight minutes before the break when Oliver Sarkic swung a right-wing corner in to the box and Jordan Thorniley rose highest to head home the opening goal.
The Bluebirds finished the half strongly through and Scott Quigley superbly worked an opening for a shot which was blocked before Penfold then went through on goal only to be denied by a good save from Maxwell.
Grant Ward let fly with the opening attempt of the second half as Blackpool got on the front foot from the off but his low drive was held by Dixon.
Both sides reminded us that it was pre-season by making a raft of changes on the hour, with Dunn taking the opportunity to run the rule over several trialists.
Barrow struck back with a little less than twenty minutes left on the clock. Superb work from Jason Taylor on the left of the penalty area saw things open up for Dior Angus who dropped his shoulder to create a yard and then slipped a clinical finish in to the bottom right-hand corner.
Angus could even have put Barrow in front just a couple of minutes later when he got in to another shooting position on the left of the area but this time his shot was parried away to safety.
The home side then tested the Bluebirds trialist keeper when Jamie Devitt got free at the back post to head on goal but his effort was parried up in the air and the rebound couldn’t be forced home.
Blackpool restored their lead on 82 minutes when Matty Virtue did well to keep himself onside to receive a through-ball before slipping a near finish in to the bottom corner for 2-1.
Full Time: Blackpool 2 Barrow 1
Barrow: Dixon, J Jones, Trialist, Brough, Hindle, M Jones, Beadling, Trialist, Hardcastle, Penfold, Quigley.
Barrow 60-90 Mins: Trialist, Brown, Hird, Trialist, Barry, Taylor, Trialist, Gribbin, Burns (Trialist 70), James, Angus.