BARROW fired themselves to the top of League Two with a dominant 2-0 victory against Newport County.

Elliot Newby’s first goal for the club and Theo Vassell’s second in as many league games saw the Bluebirds maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign at home.

Stephen Clemence’s outfit are ahead on goals scored over the boss’s former club Gillingham.

It was a thoroughly one-sided encounter with Paul Farman rarely threatened on a quiet afternoon for the backline at Holker Street.

Ben Jackson again proved a potent threat with his quality to play a pass from dead-ball scenarios. 

Clemence named a trio of changes as the Exiles made the trip up north. 

Farman, who was suspended after being sent off against Swindon a fortnight ago, returned to the starting line-up. 

Defender Chris Stokes, a summer signing, made his debut for the club whilst Katia Kouyate came back in for his first start since the Swindon draw.

The Bluebirds made a bright start as Jackson’s dangerous free-kick was turned behind for a corner.

County stopper Nick Townsend denied Sam Foley’s looping volley in the 12th minute.

Barrow’s pressure eventually told in the 27th minute as Newby opened the scoring.

Kouyate proved why he was recalled as his teasing cross found the sliding Newby to open the scoring with his first strike since scoring in four successive National League appearances for Altrincham in 2022.

It could have been 2-0 10 minutes before the break as Kian Spence saw his effort well blocked after some brilliant work from Ged Garner.

On the stroke of the break, Dean Campbell forced Townsend into a good low stop from a deflected effort.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure after the restart as they looked to put the game to bed early.

Spence’s free-kick hit the wall before Jackson’s volley went over Townsend’s bar.

Scorer Newby almost turned provider when he found Garner, whose shot was diverted behind.

Garner came close to a fourth goal at Holker Street this term when he got on the end of a delicious Jackson delivery only to nod his header narrowly wide of the mark.

Jackson went close himself when he fired a free-kick over the bar.

Vassell was frustrated by former Barnsley stopper Townsend after he rose highest to head Jackson’s corner goalwards in the final 10 minutes.

But the former Salford player scored for the second league game running as he secured the points with seven minutes to go. 

It was a carbon copy of Jackson’s previous corner and this time Vassell made no mistake as he emphatically thundered home a header.

The Bluebirds’ attention now turns to a historic night for the club as they travel down to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League giants Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.