Tonight Kidderminster Harriers played their final home game of the season at Aggborough and they were hoping to give out a better performance than the previous Saturday where a gutless performance had seen them overcome by a good Stevenage Borough side that on the day won the League Championship. However, this wasn't to be the case as, despite taking a one goal lead within ten minutes through an own goal, the visitors had scored two goals before half time and Barrow held this lead to take a win back up to the famous ship-building town in Cumbria.
The home side started with the usual formation with Chris McPhee taking the role of the spearhead of the Harriers attack. Jasbir Singh also retained his place in goal as Ross Atkins had been recalled back to Derby County. The former Shrewsbury keeper may have started anyway even if Atkins was still at the club. Barrow started with Jason Walker in the place of ex-Chester hitman Nick Chadwick.
As the sun began to set over rural Worcestershire the Harriers kicked off and started the game the brightest which eventually after seven minutes led to them taking the lead; an early goal trait which has been common in the side since Steve Burr took the helm. On the left side of the pitch Brian Smikle played the ball back to Lee Baker and from the halfway line he lofted a pass forward into the direction of McPhee. The Barrow keeper, Stuart Tomlinson, came out to collect the ball but was beaten to it by McPhee who controlled the ball wonderfully with his chest and, after taking it slightly round Tomlinson, hit a curling shot which was unlucky not to go into the net on its own merit but, in a vain effort to keep the ball out of goal, Paul Edwards could only help it on its way in under the close watch of Darryl Knights.
Soon after 'The Reds' could've doubled their lead moments after was the ball was passed back to Tomlinson. His poor control nearly led to the ball bobbling into his own net but the keeper got back just in time and cleared the ball away from the goal-line much to the travelling supporters relief.
Less than ten minutes after this chance though Kidderminster may've been rueing Barrow's good fortune as the away team equalled up the game. The ball was played through the middle by Robin Hulbert to Jason Walker, who was racing in, in a battle of pace between him and, Harriers centre-back Martin Riley. Walker was the victor and his initial shot was saved by Singh but the ball went under him and, unchallenged, the Barrow striker picked the ball up and was given sufficient time to dummy a shot and hit the ball straight between the two Harriers defenders into the goal to level up the game.
From then onwards Barrow took the initiative and looked to push on for another goal to give them the lead. The Harriers mistakenly gave them time on the ball, especially in the middle of the pitch, and the time they were given to pick their attacks was at times almost criminal.
Barrow didn't profit from this and infact in the thirty fourth minute Smikle unluckily had a header hit the post and just seconds later McPhee had a shot saved by Tomlinson.
Barrow then went up the other end of the pitch and easily punished a goalkeeping howler by Jasbir Singh as the ball was headed back to him by Duane Courtney for an easy catch but he fumbled the ball and allowed Jason Walker an easy header to give Barrow the lead just before half time.
At half time the home side went into the dressing room to a partial chorus of boo's, which was perhaps deserved, after such a lacklustre first half performance outlined by the excessive usage of backpassing by defenders when infact they should've hit the ball upfield.