Harrogate Town and Barrow defied torrential rain to serve up an entertaining draw at the CNG Stadium.
Simon Weaver included both new signings, Jonathan Margetts and Anthony Griffith in his starting line up.
Town had an early let off when Sam Sheridan’s through ball put Ted Cribley in the clear,he rounded Town keeper, Phil Barnes,but Rhys Meynell was on hand to clear off the line.
Barrow’s Anthony Wilson then found his way into Referee Paul Davison’s notebook when he attempted to gain a penalty with a blatant dive in the area.
The Town faithful had their hearts in their mouths when James Walshaw was led off with a bloody head injury,but luckily he was able to return five minutes later with his head heavily bandaged.
A good move between Margetts and Simon Lenighan resulted in a chance for Lewis Turner who shot across goal from thirty yards.
With twenty minutes gone, the Bluebirds took the lead.
Andy Burns foraged down the right and his deep centre was expertly chested past Turner by Andy Cook before he shot past Barnes.
Town tried to hit back and a Walshaw effort rebounded to Louis Swain who blasted high over the bar.
As the interval approached the Barrow defence survived a couple of goalmouth scrambles, but Town had an anxious moment when Niall Cowperthwaite’s long centre was headed over by the unmarked Robbie Williams.
Matt Bloomer replaced Tony Griffith at half time and six minutes later Town were level.
Walshaw got behind the Barrow defence and his pinpoint cross from the byline was nodded in by Margetts.
Barnes in the Town goal then earned his corn with a couple of vital saves, firstly blocking Wilson’s angled drive with his legs and shortly afterwards tipping Cowperthwaite’s long shot over the angle.
However, with twenty minutes left Town took the lead for the first time this season.
Walshaw picked up Swain’s pass and brilliantly beat MxcMillan with a swerving shot from twentyfive yards.
Unfortunately, Town’s hopes of a first victory soon evaporated,when three minutes later Lenighan conceded a free kick thirty yards out.
Paddy Lacey’s kick into the area was turned in by the unmarked Cook to give the Bluebirds, a share of the points.
Harrogate had late chances with Walshaw lashing a free kick into the wall after Danny Livesey brought down Margetts and sub Dominic Rowe firing well over with a speculative shot.
Town
1 Barnes, 2 Turner, 3 Meynell,(Rowe 79), 4 Griffith (Bloomer 45), 5 Heath, 6 McGurk (c),7 Kerry,
8 Lenighan, 9 Margetts, 10 Walshaw, 11 Swain.
Unused subs 12 Killock, 13 Crook, 14 Emmett Booking Rowe
Scorers, Margetts 51, Walshaw 70. Man of the Match, Walshaw.
By John Harrison
