A HOME tie against Blue Square South side Eastleigh awaits the winners of tomorrow night’s FA Cup Fourth qualifying round replay at the Deva Stadium, after Barrow and Chester City’s stalemate at Holker Street on Saturday.
Central defender Jonathan Flynn had given City the lead after 16 minutes, only to see Chester reject Paul Rutherford equalise the tie with a stunning drive midway through the second period.
There is no doubt that Jim Harvey has transformed the Chester dressing room since he took over from Mick Wadsworth three weeks ago. The players he inherited have a new spring in the their heels, whilst the addition of Flynn from Blackburn Rovers and Michael Coulson from Barnsley has given the squad much needed depth.
Harvey was full of praise for his players and said: “I thought we had enough chances to have won the game. There were three or four occasions when we should have wrapped it up.
“It was pleasing to see young Jonathan (Flynn) score his first goal for us, and I also thought he handled his defensive duties well.
“The players are enjoying training, and adapting to the methods and style of play we are asking them for.”
Chester had the best of the chances in the early exchanges with Coulson on two occasions going inches wide with angled efforts.
Flynn opened the scoring from close range after Tomlinson and Jones had failed to deal with an Anthony Barry free kick.
Tomlinson then made excellent saves to deny Kay and Coulson whilst at the other end Danby dealt competently with a snap shot from Logan.
Barrow stepped up a gear in the second period, they changed their shape in midfield and consequently became a more potent force.
The equaliser came after the disappointing Wilkinson dwelt on the ball and was dispossessed, it was then swept forward eventually arriving with Rutherford, who unleashed a thunderbolt which fizzed past the despairing dive of Danby.
Both sides had half chances in the dying embers of the game, but as full time approached, tomorrow’s replay became inevitable with neither team prepared to be too adventurous in added time.
BARROW: Tomlinson, Spender, Jones, Pearson, Jelleyman, Rutherford, Hulbert (Boyd, 76), Bond, Logan (Kamara, 63), Shaw, Walker. Subs: Deasy, Dugdale, Cook, Sheriden, Bayliss.
CHESTER CITY: Danby, Roberts, Flynn, Ryan, Ashton, Kay (Owen, 80), Barry, Keltie, Wilkinson (Ellams, 70), Beesley (Kelly, 90), Coulson. Subs): Murphy, Lea, Meynell,
REFEREE: Ross Joyce (Middlesbrough)
ATT: 1,579.
