While Barrow were extending their club record-breaking run to an unbeaten nineteen games the Lions were slumping to their fourteenth defeat of the season, a result that leaves them stranded at the foot of the table and looking odds-on candidates for relegation.

The first half had been a fairly leisurely affair with the visitors still in the game despite conceding possession far too often with aimless balls lofted up to Michael Rankine and Jake Cassidy who were left battling for scraps. Although the former did try an audacious shot from thirty-five yards that nearly came off and Cassidy headed straight at Joel Dixon on a couple of occasions.

That was until Jordan Williams unleashed a screamer from twenty yards that left Daniel Atkinson clutching at thin air on 41 minutes. And worse was to follow three minutes later when Bryon Harrison climbed above both Atkinsons to head home a cross from the left and leave the Lions with a second half mountain to climb.

With no changes at halftime the visitors carried on where they had left off and Barrow began to take control of the game and extended their lead on 66 minutes when Daniel Atkinson failed to collect a cross and Ryan Yates scooped up the loose ball only to be bundled over by Marcus Williams from behind. Harrison bagging his second from the resulting spot kick.

Prior to this Guiseley had belatedly addressed the lack of pace up front with Joel Logan replacing Will Hatfield on 61 minutes and the impact was almost immediate as the substitutes cross just failed to find Rankine.

Cassidy also profited from Logan’s introduction as interplay between the two led to the striker battling past two defenders only to see his shot hit the post from an acute angle.

Jordan Preston then replaced the unlucky Cassidy on 71 minutes and seven minutes later Alex Purver came on for the ineffective Marcus Williams and the Lions suddenly looked to have some purpose about them as they took the game to the home side and Logan forced Joel Dixon to tip his low shot around the post.

But not for the first time this season it was too little, too late leaving the visitors stranded at the foot of the table and looking for some hope and salvation which must come sooner rather than later if they are to retain their National League status come the end of April.

Team:

17  Atkinson

2    Brown

3    Lowe

20  Williams (Purver 78)

11  Rankine

8    Hatfield (Logan 61)

15  Palmer

23  East

24  Walton

25  Atkinson

29  Cassidy (Preston 71)

Substitutes

9    Boyes

12  Dickinson

19  Preston

22  Purver

32  Logan