How's late show can't save Slough a point

A late rally from Slough failed to bring reward on Saturday as they battled for points at Barrow.

The Rebels made the long trip to Cumbria to take on the FA Trophy holders and try to edge themselves away from the league danger zone. But despite a spirited performance it wasn't to be so and they returned empty handed.

Tony Dell returned in midfield after suspension but the Rebels were without dynamic midfielder Steve Thompson who was still serving his ban. Vernon Pratt sat it out on the bench as did Mark Turkington who made a welcome return to the 13 after injury.

For Barrow Colin Cowperthwaite, who was expected to be cut for two weeks with an injury, made a surprise return and took his place upfront. On a cold, wet, Cumbrian afternoon it was the home side that got off to a better start and a next move through the middle saw Danny Wheatley's snapshot well saved by Trevor Bunting, after only four minutes.

Five minutes later Phil Stacey found himself in the book for dissent but Barrow wasted the freekick. With the shadows of the relegation zone hanging in the background, both sides were looking to give little away, and it took half an hour for both teams to find the space to create chances.

Gary Donnellan had weaved his way into the Barrow box after good work but keeper Peter McDonnell was there to claim the loose ball. Tony Knight intercepted a pass inside the Barrow half but his cross was just too deep for Jon Sissons to latch onto.

Mark Hill was then called upon to make a timely interception after ace marksman Colin Cowperthwaite found himself free in the box from a long hall.

The first real clear cut chance arrived on the half hour when Darren Anderson failed to look and sent a pass backward toward Bunting. The ball fell to a surprised Neil Donerty who raced towards goal but Bunting managed to foil the Barrow man, diving bravely at his feet.

Tony Dell went close for the Rebels minutes later when he curled a shot just wide of the post from 20 yards. The midfielder then found himself in action at the other end, booked for a two footed tackle and seeing the resultant free kick well saved by Bunting.

As the game began to open up it was Barrow who took the initiative on 41 minutes when Cowperthwaite gave a clinical example of why he has notched over 250 goals for the club. A Barrow corner was cleared only to the edge of the box and hammered back in, skimming into the path of Cowperthwaite six yards out to slot home.

The second half began with Bunting again called into action to save well from Doherty, but the Rebels drove forward but still struggle to create a chance.

They were sunk by a killer blow in the 83rd minute when a free kick was delivered into the box and Bunting's punch rebounded off Danny Wheatley and into the back of the net.

Slough opened the game right up in the last five minutes though and pulled a goal back when Trevor How was on hand to poke the loose ball home after an uncleared Donnellan corner.

In the final seconds Donnellan and Bashir linked well, but the resultant cross was sent inches over by Darren Anderson's head.

Almost the last move of the game saw Sissons almost reaching a cross into the box, but it wasn't to be and the points stayed in Cumbria.