United got back on the winning track today as James Constable's penalty saw them overcome Barrow. Constable's 13th of the season kept United rolling along nicely at the top of the table as they beat a battling Barrow side.

With Matt Green and Mark Creighton both sidelined by injury and Stevie Kinniburgh out through suspension United brought in Kev Sandwith at left back, Jack Midson up front and Ross Perry for a full debut at centre half.

Five corners in the first ten minutes told their own story, the fifth forced as Constable nicked the ball away from keeper Tomlinson but saw his shot go just wide off of the sprawling keeper's arm, while Perry showed his worth on 17 with a brave block as Barrow reached the United box for the first time.

With a gusting wind and a constant fine mist of rain conditions weren't great and Adam Murray's swirling, whirling free kick from the left on 24 minutes defied logic and most of the laws of physics as it wrong footed Tomlinson but smacked to safety off of the post.

United had knocked on the door for twenty six minutes and Barrow could have few complaints when the breakthrough came. A simple long ball flopped over their defence and set Constable free and in on Tomlinson. Beano nicked the ball over his arm and was clattered, and ref Johnson had a simple decision to make as he pointed to the spot. The more difficult choice was between a red or yellow card for Tomlinson, with yellow the final decision, meaning that Tomlinson had the opportunity to pick the ball out of the net as Constable thumped the penalty past him; his second successful spot kick on successive Saturdays.

United's front three of Constable, Cook and Midson were causing Barrow no end of problems, with Cook seeing a deflected effort hit the side netting on 31 minutes and the trio's movement and ability to switch positions moving defenders all over the place.

At the other end Luke Foster's great challenge snuffed out another of Barrow's sporadic attacks and Foster and Perry's new partnership looked solid enough, helped by some very good shielding from Simon Clist in front.

The second half started with practically full frontal assault on Damian Batt as he rared down the right wing, then a shot on the turn from Cook which flew wide, and The Yellows had lifted the tempo as they went towards their own fans. Midson saw a flick from six yards smothered away them Tomlinson made an absolutely brilliant save to somehow turn a deflected drive from Cook up and over the bar from just about on the line.

Barrow had their best from an hour onwards with sub Paul Rutherford catching the eye on the right wing, but didn't really test Ryan Clarke, while United should have made the game safe on 73 as Constable's right wing cross cried out for a finishing touch but instead flew wide off of the forehead of the diving Midson from six yards out.  Constable's shot from the edge of the box was a foot the wrong side of the post  on 75, and another effort from the top scorer went wide on 87, but a single goal had to suffice in the end.

All things considered the people of Barrow and Cumbria have had more to worry about this week than how their football team did. They will return and be tough opponents in the FA Cup next Saturday. Roll on the Barrow.

For United though this was another important step. If you lose a game you need to bounce back immediately, and the U's got the job done with a typically efficient performance. Ten home games this season; nine wins and just the one draw. You cannot argue with form like that.

Att: 5,629

Report by Chris Williams

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