Barrow fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat at Gander Green Lane, with a last minute equaliser from John Rooney getting ruled out, despite the indirect free kick appearing to have taken a deflection from the palms of Sutton goalkeeper Brad House on its way into the net.
Pete Wild’s side were all set to have secured a point for the long journey back up to Cumbria thanks to Rooney’s effort, but after referee Andy Davies had a long consultation with his fellow officials, the man with the whistle chalked off Barrow’s equaliser, adjudging that the ball had evaded everybody.
Sutton had only found the lead in the 79th minute; a long ball from the back was chased down by Tope Fadahunsi and misjudged by Paul Farman, allowing Fadahunsi to bundle past the Barrow goalkeeper and tap it in to send the hosts in front.
Both sides had chances in the game to find the scoresheet; most notably Barrow midfielder Sam Foley forced a save from Jack Rose with an effort from 25 yards in the 37th minute and forward Billy Waters was somehow denied by Rose halfway through the second half.
Ben Whitfield also came close with a volley and Josh Kay saw his bottom corner strike saved at the last instance by substitute keeper Brad House in injury time, just before Rooney’s goal was ruled out.
Full Time: Sutton United 1-0 Barrow