BARROW 2
DONCASTER ROVERS 0

Manager Pete Wild celebrated his new “multi-year” contract by masterminding Barrow’s return to winning ways.

Only four months after taking up his role on a three-year deal, Wild and assistant Adam Temple have been awarded new deals.

And a first Football League victory over last season’s League One outfit since 1971 was a fitting reward for the AFC chief.

Ben Whitfield’s fourth goal of the campaign after 37 minutes and Tyrell Warren’s second of the season returned the Bluebirds to winning ways after a 3-1 defeat at Northampton. And for Warren, it was a chance to show his finishing skills to one-time Manchester United team mate, Marcus Rashford, sitting in the main stand at Holker Street.

Barrow should have won by a wider margin but Wild will not be overly concerned by the missed chances after this display.

A minute’s applause rather than an expected 60-seconds silence preceded kick-off followed by the National Anthem.

The last time Doncaster played at Holker Street was in 1998 for a Football Conference clash when former Welsh international Neville Southall featured for the visitors in a 2-2 draw.

Wild, pipped by Leyton Orient’s Richie Wellens for August’s manager of the month, made one change to the side beaten 3-1 at Northampton, coming in for Patrick Brough.

Josh Kay ambitiously tried his luck immediately from kick-off but a lack of accuracy cost him any chance of a spectacular goal.

Doncaster, however, created the first substantial chance with Adam Long heading wide at the far post after the ball flicked off Warren.

Kay’s reckless challenge on Kyle Knoyle brought him a second booking of the season, later receiving a final warning at the end of the opening half.

The same player’s burst set Whitfield in motion and the latter’s cross was fractionally too far in front of Gordon.

Sam Foley smashed a volley high over the crossbar as Barrow grew into the game as an attacking force.

After 29 minutes, Whitfield’s low left foot drive had Mitchell scrambling across his goal line to save.

Adam Clayton levelled the bookings’ score with a foul on Gordon, already smarting from missing out to Northampton’s Sam Hoskins for the League Two player of the month award for August.

Gordon recovered and played his part in the opening goal after Sam McClelland’s close range shot was saved by Mitchell.

Gordon’s cross bounced back invitingly off Ro-Shaun Williams and Whitfield’s low shot from 18 yards slipped through Mitchell’s grasp

Paul Farman’s hands were far stronger to deny Tommy Rowe an equaliser before the break.

The second half saw Barrow dominate possession and chances. While it stayed at 1-0, there was always a chance of a Rovers breakaway.

Instead, Gordon and Billy Waters combined and Warren finished through Mitchell’s legs.

With victory almost guaranteed Barrow turned on the style and could easily have doubled their advantage.

Waters was denied by over worked keeper Mitchell while Gordon, desperate to get on the score sheet, prodded another close range effort wide as Barrow finished on a high.