Barrow fell to a narrow defeat in Birkenhead after an end-end encounter, with the only goal of the game coming in the 26th minute, courtesy of a well-executed shot from Josh Hawkes for the hosts. A positive second half performance followed wasn’t quite enough to find an all-important goal.
An end to end opening 10 minutes at Prenton Park produced an excellent reaction save from Paul Farman to keep out a ricocheted shot with his left hand. Shortly after the Bluebirds counter attacked, great through ball from Ben Whitfield found Robbie Gotts in the Tranmere box, although it was unable to trouble Ross Doohan’s goal.
Josh Hawkes opened the scoring for the home side, cutting in on the left and firing the ball past the reach of Paul Farman to put Tranmere in front, with 26 minutes on the clock.
In an open first half with few chances for Barrow, Ben Whitfield had the best of them on the 42nd minute, opening-up and getting a shot away on goal, however it didn’t cause toovmuch trouble for Doohan.
Barrow started the second half brightly with great attacking play down the left-hand side from Patrick Brough, his cross deflected wide producing a corner The Bluebirds' way.
Pete Wild’s men continued the positive opening to the second half on the 48th minute breaking down the right. Ben Whitfield whipped a ball into the box, but neither Tom White nor Josh Gordon could get on the end of it.
Tranmere found a foothold in the second half, on 57 minutes Paul Farman produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Tranmere from doubling their lead. Rovers continued this good spell, putting pressure on Farman’s goal with multiple opportunities on the hour mark.
Bluebirds showed a positive display to the opening 20 minutes to second half, although Rovers had a brilliant chance when Elliot Nevitt struck the post with a low shot on the 70th minute.
With 10 minutes to go Josh Gordon charged down a panicking Ross Doohan, who scuffed his clearance, allowing David Moyo to have an attempt on an open goal from distance. The resulting goal kick led to a big opportunity for Tranmere to double their lead, Paul Farman’s fantastic save kept out Dynel Simeu’s diving header.
Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Barrow