Barrow were knocked out of the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening following a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley at The Progression Solicitors Stadium.
The Bluebirds were behind from the early stages when Lewis Mansell diverted home from close range and the visitors then defended with real determination to protect their lead.
Scott Quigley, back in the side after injury, got through 70 minutes unscathed but missed from the penalty spot as David Dunn’s men were left frustrated by their League One opponents.
The Barrow boss made nine changes to his starting line-up from that which started at Grimsby Town last time out as Kgose Ntlhe also got time on the pitch after a spell in the treatment room.
After a scrappy start to proceedings, it was Stanley who grabbed an early advantage when a ball was sent in from the right to Mansell who got enough on the ball to send it home from close range for a debut goal.
The Bluebirds had a glorious chance to level things up on 10 minutes when a superb driving run from Jayden Reid was halted by a foul in the area and the referee awarded a penalty – only for Scott Quigley’s spot-kick to be saved by Stanley keeper Nathan Baxter.
Quigley was denied once more by Baxter shortly afterwards when he did brilliantly to spin away from his marker but this time his low drive was well held by the keeper.
Reid was proving a handful with his pace, strength and direct running but he also showed some brilliant footwork to create a chance for himself just before the break. He cleverly nutmegged his man with a first touch before his fierce left-footed drive was well saved by Baxter.
Josh Lillis had to be alert in the early stage of the second half when Stanley sub Dion Charles cut inside from the right and struck a low drive but the Bluebirds keeper got down well to block the effort.
There were yellow cards for Chris Taylor and Jayden Reid as things began to get a little feisty on the hour, while the visitors felt aggrieved after having a Ryan Cassidy goal flagged offside.
Barrow continued to press but the game was becoming more and more scrappy as it went on and good chances remained at a premium.
Chris Taylor had an opportunity to rescue a draw right at the death but clipped his free-kick just over the bar and that was enough to end Barrow’s interest in the Papa John’s Trophy for the season.
Full Time: Barrow 0 Accrington Stanley 1
Barrow: Lillis, Brown, Zouma, Wilson, Ntlhe (Brough 68), Kay, J Taylor, C Taylor, Gribbin (Sea 65), Quigley (Biggins 71), Reid.
Subs not used: Moloney, Platt, Angus, James.
Booked: C Taylor, Reid.
Accrington Stanley: Baxter, Hughes, Burgess, Sykes, Butcher (Rodgers 46), Cassidy, Pritchard, Uwakwe (Conneely 71), Barclay , Mansell (Charles 46), Scully.
Subs not used: Savin, Maguire, Sama, Fenlon.
Booked: Barclay, Burgess.
Referee: James Bell
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors