BARROW AFC 1

WIMBLEDON 3

BARROW’S wait for their next Skybet League Two win goes on after two late goals condemned Stephen Clemence’s side to this disappointing defeat.

Andy Dallas’s fourth goal of the season - and second in two games - cancelled out Joe Pigott’s second minute opener.

With the game heading for a draw, the Dons struck twice in as many minutes through top scorer Matty Stevens.

The final whistle was greeted with boos from some home supporters who haven’t seen their side win at Holker Street since October 15.

The Bluebirds are now down to 12th in the table after at one stage occupying an automatic promotion place.

Barrow, yet to beat the Dons at home in the league, suffered the worst possible start, conceding the opening goal less than two minutes in.

Paul Farman saved, but couldn’t hold James Tilley’s shot. The ball bounced to Niall Canavan who tried to cushion a header back to his goalie.

Instead Pigott nipped in to score from a few yards out for his fourth goal of the campaign.

Another defensive lapse - this time by Ben Jackson - presented James Ball with a shooting opportunity. 

But his 12th minute effort from the edge of the area flew over the crossbar.

Barrow retaliated and Charlie Kirk’s low effort was saved at his near post by Owen Goodman.

A slick move ended with Elliot Newby crossing into the area where Kirk connected first time, but couldn’t guide his chance into the net.

Barrow had responded well to the early setback. But penalty appeals for handball against Riley Harbottle from Jackson’s shot were never likely to be answered positively.

Piggot collected a 27th minute booking from referee Ross Joyce for a foul on Dean Campbell.

A Canavan foul presented AFC Wimbledon with another opportunity, but Alistair Smith’s shot from 18 yards cleared the crossbar.

Kirk equalised the booking count for a challenge on Tilley though referee Joyce declined to intervene when Theo Vassell claimed he’d been dragged over in the area.

Farman produced a fine save to deny Tilley’s 20-yarder, but was then beaten by the latter’s subsequent in swinging corner.

Referee Joyce though came to the rescue spotting a foul not too many others in the ground noticed.

A minute from half-time the Dons exchanged defensive gifts. Goodman’s goal kick was a poor one, Dallas chested down before firing home from nearly 30 yards.

Goodman saved Campbell’s low piledriver as Barrow looked to capitalise on their productive end to the opening period. Kirk then chipped audaciously over the bar.

Pigott’s vision picked out Josh Neufville whose left foot effort was turned away by Farman for a corner after 64 minutes.

Five minutes later it was Goodman’s turn to keep the contest level by denying Jackson’s shot.

 But Barrow were then undone by a 76th minute sucker punch as Pigott played in Stevens who held off the challenges to slip the ball beyond Farman.

And two minutes later Stevens found space inside the area to take his season’s tally to 10 goals and wrap up a first away league win since late August.