Barrow clinched their first ever win in Northampton as Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s first goal for the Club was enough to secure three points at Sixfields Stadium on Tuesday night.
It only told part of the story though, on a night when Mark Cooper’s men defended heroically against their promotion-chasing hosts and ground out what could be a priceless victory on the road.
Barrow began the game in confident fashion and could have gone in front on five minutes when the ball sat kindly for Ollie Banks thirty yards out, but his powerful drive swerved wide of the target.
There was a nervous moment at the other end when Josh Eppiah charged down Paul Farman’s attempted clearance and the ball bounced back across the area, though thankfully there were no Town players close enough to profit and the danger passed.
The Bluebirds came forward themselves moments later and Remeao Hutton drove a path into the hosts’ penalty area before striking a shot on goal which was deflected wide before John Rooney’s resultant corner was punched clear well by keeper Liam Roberts.
Hutton then turned provider when he got into space on the right of the box and delivered into the front post for Luke James, but the striker could only flick his shot into the side-netting.
The Cobblers then attacked menacingly down the right and Aaron McGowan sent a cross deep to the far post where it was collected by Mitch Pinnock only for his volley to then fly well wide.
Paul Lewis headed over for Town at the front post after good work on the left from the lively Ali Koiki, while Farman then had to make a smart stop to prevent Pinnock from opening the scoring after he had wandered into space on the edge of the box.
The Bluebirds keeper was busy again on 32 minutes when Town charged forward on the break through Shaun McWilliams, who then unselfishly teed up Pinnock for the strike which Farman got down to quickly at his near post.
Rooney had his first strike on goal after persistent work from James had kept a Barrow attack alive but the new recruit’s effort from twenty yards was comfortably fielded by Roberts.
The home side came out full of energy at the start of the second half but that was sucked out of them on 51 minutes when Barrow went in front. Rooney’s dangerous corner from the left was only half cleared and the midfielder then traded passes with Anthony Glennon to free the on-loan youngster to the byline and his teasing cross to the far post was gleefully headed home by Amadi-Holloway.
Banks had already had a free kick effort saved by the keeper earlier in the half when he let fly with another on 60 minutes which Roberts did well to get down and claim to his right as Barrow continued to pose a threat.
Town were getting more and more frustrated with every passing minute and it nearly got worse for them on 72 minutes when Glennon’s wicked inswinging corner from the right required a great save from Roberts to prevent it going straight in.
The Cobblers kept on going but were struggling to break down a resolute and determined Barrow defence; McWilliams tried his luck from 25 yards, but he got under the shot and it flashed over Farman’s bar.
The travelling fans acted as an extra man during eight minutes of nerve-tingling added time but Cooper’s men held firm to claim a historic win in Northampton.
Full Time: Northampton Town 0 Barrow 1
Northampton Town: Roberts, McGowan, Sowerby, Guthrie, Horsfall, Hoskins, Lewis (Kanu 76), Pinnock (Lubala 67), Koiki, McWilliams, Eppiah (Rose 67).
Subs not used: Maxted, Harriman, Magloire, Mills.
Booked: McWilliams.
Barrow: Farman, Hutton, Brown, Brough, Glennon, Taylor, Beadling, Rooney, Banks, Amadi-Holloway (Harris 67), James (Kay 75 (J Jones 90)).
Subs not used: White, Williams, Wakeling.
Booked: Hutton, Taylor, Kay, Rooney.
Referee: Lee Swabey
Attendance: 4,604 (151 Barrow)