Alty 3 Barrow 4

8:23am Wednesday 13th August 2008

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ALTY found their killer touch but committed defensive suicide to hand all three points to Barrow.

After twice coming from behind to level the scores, bagging three goals in the process, the potency of their firepower is not in question.

But the solidity of their defence most certainly is after they gifted Barrow a string of chances, culminating in Paul Brown’s 79th minute winner, just two minutes after they had made it 3-3.

For much of the game though, Alty had appeared incapable of even making a fist of it.

The Robins had trailed 2-0 after goals from Jason Walker and, inevitably, Alty old boy Carlos Logan.

To their credit, they managed to launch an impressive comeback.

Colin Little and Chris Denham scored to level the scores and although Walker struck again, Little swiftly replied to seemingly clinch an unlikely point.

That was until Brown struck the final, gut-wrenching blow to leave the Moss Lane faithful breathless, exhausted and thoroughly disappointed.

Such a contrast to the early exchanges, which had contained an abundance of positives.

Alty had started in confident mood, passing the ball around with ease and grace, dominating possession and keeping Barrow firmly penned inside their own half.

But clear cut chances were not particularly forthcoming, Robbie Lawton’s off-target snapshot from 20 yards the best the hosts could muster.

A goal had to come - the only surprise was that it came for the visitors.

Completely against the run of play, Matt Henney sent a through ball down the right flank and, from the by-line, Walker too easily cut inside the covering defenders and fired into the corner of the net.

That was just the fillup the Bluebirds needed and they were soon swarming all over the Robins.

It should have been 2-0 before half time as Stuart Coburn saved from both Lee Hunt and Walker, while Hunt came within a whisker of getting the decisive touch on a Walker cross.

Despite the Barrow onslaught, Alty almost equalised five minutes before the break in bizarre circumstances. A deep cross from Chris Lane bamboozled absolutely everyone in the penalty area, including keeper Tim Deasy, and the ball agonisingly bounced to safety off the inside of the post.

But nine minutes after the break, the visitors finally made their pressure count.

The Robins’ defence was caught out badly as Henney got in behind on the right flank. The winger stood up a cross to the far post and up popped Logan at the far post to ram the ball home - cue distasteful, over-elaborate celebrations from the former Alty man.

At that point the hosts looked dead and buried. Not so.

The earlier double substitution of Lee Elam and Anthony Danylyk for Alex Meechan and Kevin Street began to have the desired effect and Graham Heathcote’s side soon found a way back into the game.

Little showed all the composure and skill we’ve come to expect from him as he latched on to a long ball from Coburn, muscled out Steve McNulty and slotted a delightful finish past Deasy.

Just 10 minutes later they tied things up in spectacular fashion as Denham received a poor clearance from Deasy 35 yards out and set himself before superbly lobbing the ball into the net.

Cue another costly defensive error, as a minute after Denham had restored parity, Chris Lane gave the ball away inside his own box, allowing Walker to arrow another shot into the corner of the net.

There was barely chance to draw breath before the Robins levelled once more, Little stepping up to rifle an unstoppable free kick past Deasy from 20 yards out.

But just when, Alty needed to keep composure, they lost their heads again. Walker was allowed too much space on the edge of the area and although his shot was superbly parried by Coburn, the ball ran kindly to substitute Brown, who had the simple task of finishing from close range.

There were still chances to salvage a point in the closing stages but Chris Senior blasted a good chance over the bar just moments after coming on and Greg Young had his shot blocked when he got a clear sight of goal.

This league has a way of bringing you back down to earth with a bump.

Alty player ratings: Coburn 6; Lane 5, McGregor 5, Young 6, Doughty 5; Denham 7, Street 6 (Danylyk 55, 7), Lawton 6, Meechan 5 (Elam 55, 7); Little 8, Johnson 6 (Senior 85). Subs not used: Ralph, O’Neill.