BARROW 1, WREXHAM 1

BARROW put in a real Jekyll-and-Hyde performance in their 1-1 draw at home to Wrexham.

Hosting League Two’s high-profile Hollywood team, Barrow suffered a severe case of stage fright in the first half, and should have been dead and buried by the break. But the team that emerged for the second half was unrecognisable from the first period, and Emile Acquah’s goal earned them a point that had seemed way beyond them at one stage.

Pete Wild made three changes to the starting side that lost at Stockport a week earlier. Paul Farman took over from Josh Lillis in goal, and Kian Spence and Jamie Proctor started in place of Sam Foley, who dropped to the bench, and Courtney Duffus, who wasn’t available after suffering a nasty facial injury at Edgeley Park.

Barrow were grateful to Farman for a sharp reaction save five minutes in. Luke Young’s corner was headed goalwards by Will Boyle at close range but Farman reacted superbly to parry the ball, which was hacked away to safety.

But Wrexham got the goal their impressive start to the game warranted, via Elliot Lee’s 12th-minute penalty. Ollie Palmer got the better of Tyrell Warren just inside the area and, as he looked to home in on goal, Warren’s clip sent him down.

Referee Daniel Middleton pointed immediately to the spot and Lee sent the spot-kick right down the middle for the lead, and his fifth goal of the season.

The rampant Dragons should have been out of sight by the break, but Farman saved well with his feet when Boyle slipped in Bickerstaff, and the keeper also used his hands to good effect, parrying Palmer’s lofted shot that looked like it was dipping under the bar.

Had Palmer or Bickerstaff got a touch to Boyle’s header across the face of goal Wrexham would have been two goals to the good, and no one could have argued they hadn’t deserved it.

In truth, the Bluebirds had been overrun throughout the half and their only effort on Mark Howard’s goal was a wild swipe from Warren that sailed yards wide and into the stand.

The opening 45 minutes had been arguably Barrow’s worst period of play since returning to the league, and the near-five-thousand crowd – swelled by a healthy away following of 855 – made their view on their team’s lacklustre showing clear when the whistle blew.

Warren in particular had struggled against the size and power of Palmer and he made way for Rory Feely at the break.

Barrow showed some signs that they could still have a say in the game and started the second half on the front foot.

And after seven minutes of committed tackles, accurate passing, telling off-the-ball movement and solid defence, they drew level.

Spence picked out Acquah in a central position, with only one defender for company. The striker’s first touch shifted the ball onto his right foot, the second send it arcing beautifully into the top corner, with a full-stretch Howard helpless to stop it.

Acquah’s fine strike energised the Bluebirds and Spence himself had a terrific chance moments later but fired narrowly wide.

Either side could have snatched a winner as the game drew towards its conclusion but with neither able to make the breakthrough they collected a point apiece.