A goal in both halves proved the difference as Moors’ FA Cup campaign came to an end at the hands of Barrow at The Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon.
Elliot Newby opened the scoring when he got in behind and lobbed Bobby Jones, before Kane Hemmings doubled the lead with a finish from close range.
Barrow started the game the brighter, forcing Bobby Jones into action as he stopped a header from Isaac Fletcher.
Moors were forced into an early change after an injury to Rob Ramshaw, as Junior Mondal entered the field to replace him with just 7 minutes on the clock.
Glen Taylor went close on the 18th minute as he met with a brilliant ball into the back post from Ethan Robson. However, he saw his header well saved by Wyll Stanway.
Both sides saw chances go begging in quick succession. First through Connor Mahoney, who fired wide from inside the area, before Olly Dyson broke into the penalty area at the other end and struck wide of the near post.
It was the Bluebirds who finally broke the deadlock on 40 minutes, and it came through Elliot Newby. A smart ball in behind found the number 11, who chipped it over the oncoming Moors goalkeeper ad into the back of the net.
Moors did end the half with some chances, but Neither Dan Jones’ nor Matty Dolan’s efforts amounted to anything.
Barrow continued their pressure after the break, with former Moors man, Isaac Fletcher, almost creating a second for the visitors. Fletcher’s low ball across goal found Ben Whitfield, who smashed over the bar from close range.
Dyson looked to push for an equaliser just after the hour mark with his brilliant run through the midfield but was forced to settle for a corner.
Andy Whing’s men almost doubled their advantage on the 63rd minute, as Whitfield got in behind and played a low ball across goal but his pass, was claimed by Jones.
Dolan had a good chance to get himself on the scoresheet as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area, only to miss-hit his strike and fire wide.
Bobby Jones was called into action again on the 71st minute as Kane Hemmings got a shot off inside the penalty area, which he did well to stop.
However, Barrow did double the lead just a minute later. A great ball toward the back post found Whitfield, who fired a first time pass back across goal which was met by Hemmings and fired in to put the visitors in a commanding position.
Moors almost hit back with 8 minutes left on the clock when substitute, Cam Salkeld, got away down the right, before he let fly, only to see his strike fly wide of the mark.
Corey McKeown looked to help Moors grab a consolation with 1 minute of normal time remaining, His ball in towards the near post looked to find Glen Taylor, but it trickled out for a goal kick.
A disappointing end to our FA Cup campaign, with focus now shifting back onto the league as we visit Curzon Ashton on Tuesday evening.
Moors: B Jones; Pollock (Beals 76), Rowe, D Jones; Dyson, Dolan (Salkeld 76), Robson (McKeown 66); Ramshaw (Mondal 7), Pugh; Taylor.
Subs not used: Johnson, Hancox, Green, Hill.
Booked: Dolan (27), McKeown (90).
Barrow: Stanway; Jackson, Raglan, Shipley; Whitfield, McCann, Harper Newby; Fletcher, Mahoney (Hemmings 66); Gordon (Adu-Poku 83).
Subs not used: Winterbottom, Canavan, Smith, Cameron, Booty, Worrall.
Booked: McCann (30), Harper (33), Jackson (47), Fletcher (65), Shipley (79).
Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle
Attendance: 2,283 (499 Barrow)
Written by Noah Betts