Barrow came from two goals down to draw with Leeds United Under-21s in their latest EFL Trophy outing at The Progression Solicitors Stadium on Monday night.
Things looked bleak for David Dunn’s much-changed side as they fell behind to two neat first half finishes from visiting forward Max Dean, but Dior Angus and Jason Taylor grabbed the goals in the second half as The Bluebirds brought it back level.
Barrow showed ten changes to the starting eleven from Saturday’s defeat at Carlisle United, while new boys Chris Taylor and Yoan Zouma were both handed their Barrow debuts.
Both sides showed their desire to pass the ball around during the opening stages and there was some good football on display on a slick pitch.
However, it was an error which brought about the first goal when a sloppy back pass was seized upon by Leeds forward Max Dean, who charged down Josh Lillis’ attempted clearance before getting to the loose ball first, composing himself and firing a clinical finish high in to the net.
It could have been 2-0 five minutes later when the visitors produced a blisteringly quick counter-attack but Stuart McKinstry saw his crisp low drive deflected just wide of the right-hand post.
Josh Kay almost pulled Barrow level with a stunning solo goal after dribbling from inside his own half to the edge of the Leeds box but his low shot was well turned round the post by Leeds keeper Elia Caprile.
The Bluebirds wide man was denied again just after the half hour when he found room to send another low shot on goal but again Caprile was equal to it and turned the ball round the post.
It was 2-0 to the visitors seven minutes before half-time when Barrow once again caused their own problems, losing possession on the edge of their own box and Dean rolled home his second of the night after the ball was unselfishly squared in to his path by a team mate.
Barrow put some pressure on at the start of the second half as Luke James saw his shot on the turn blocked before half time substitute Brad Barry flashed an effort across goal and wide.
Callum Gribbin was next to try his luck when he found space twenty yards from goal and his low drive looked to be sneaking in before Caprile got down smartly to gather.
Kay was continuing to look dangerous for Barrow and his driving run put Leeds on the back foot again as the hour approached but James’ shot was charged down by a defender and cleared.
Josh Lillis had to be alert to make a brilliant reaction save and prevent Dean completing his hat-trick at the end of another slick counter-attack from Leeds.
It proved a key moment because Barrow broke immediately to reduce the arrears when substitute Dior Angus beat the keeper to a through ball and calmly slotted it home in to the empty net.
Angus almost managed to carve out a leveller on 76 minutes when he spun skilfully on the edge of the area but his curling left foot shot was well held by the keeper.
It was all-square on 80 minutes and it was Jason Taylor who nodded Barrow level, timing his run perfectly to get on the end of James’ flighted ball in to the middle and finding the bottom corner.
So the game went to a shootout and Josh Lillis made three excellent saves to give Chris Taylor the chance to ram home the winning spot-kick and secure The Bluebirds a bonus point.
Full Time: Barrow 2 Leeds United U21s 2 (Barrow take bonus point 3-2 on penalties)
Barrow: Lillis, Brown (Barry 46), Hird, Zouma, Wilson, Kay, C Taylor, J Taylor, Gribbin (Biggins 81), James, Hindle (Angus 59).
Subs not used: Moloney, Brough, Hardcastle, Quigley.
Booked: Gribbin, Brown.
Leeds United: Caprile, Struijk, Davis, Drameh, Summerville, McKinstry (Gibbon 86), Shackleton, Jenkins, Casey, McMillan (Galloway 75), Dean.
Subs not used: Van den Heuvel, Moore, Mullen, Bray, Allen.
Booked: Drameh, Casey, Summerville, Davis.
Referee: Marc Edwards
Attendance: Behind Closed Doors