Barrow 1 Oxford United 1

United were held by a stubborn Barrow at a blustery Holker Street this afternoon, as United were unable to capitalise on their second-half dominance when they were playing with the wind. United have still failed to win at Barrow in six attempts.

Playing against the wind Oxford found themselves on the back foot in the first half and went a goal down after half an hour. Jon Shaw latched on to a deflected Neil Wainwright shot and, looking suspiciously offside, his soft shot hit both posts before rolling over the line. However, seven minutes later Oxford equalised when a superbly struck free kick from Adam Murray was emphatically headed home by Luke Foster, making his 100th start for United.

The second half was all United, and it appeared to be just a matter of time before the Yellows took the lead. However, Barrow defended magnificently to keep the Us at bay and, when Oxford did get through, they found the luck with the Barrovians as James Constable hit the bar and had a shot cleared from the line, and efforts from Jack Midson, Jamie Cook, and Matt Green went narrowly wide. However, despite the windy conditions Oxford will be disappointed that they didn't make Stuart Tomlinson in the Barrow goal work harder, while Ryan Clarke was a virtual spectator in the second half. United won 12 corners in the second period, but the delivery was almost always disappointing. While this may feel like two points lost, there won't be many teams who visit Barrow and come away with a win, as Mansfield Town will testify.

Clarke came through a late scare with a boil on his elbow, while Cook returned to the side in place of Midson. Adam Chapman kept his place at right back after doing so well against Crawley Town on Tuesday. In the 67th minute Midson came on for Adam Murray as they sought to boost their firepower, and three minutes later Chapman made way for Damien Batt.

Today's referee was J Collin, taking charge of his first Oxford game. He had a semi-decent game, but wasn't helped by his assistants, who flagged for some strange reasons and failed to flag when perhaps they should have. Or is that sour grapes? Anyway, Constable and Midson were both booked, for no apparent reason. The attendance at Barrow was 1,561, of whom 265 were in the open, windswept, away end.

The draw sees Oxford's lead at the top of the Conference drop to six points, as second-placed Kettering Town won 1-0 at Eastbourne Borough. Barrow are 18th. Stevenage Borough remain third, despite conceding a last-minute equaliser at York City, who drop to ninth. Mansfield have climbed back to fourth after a fifth-minute Rob Duffy penalty gave them a 1-0 win against fifth-bottom Forest Green Rovers. Luton Town are back in the play-off places after they beat 10th-placed Tamworth 2-1 at Kenilworth Road in their first game since Mick Harford left “by mutual consent” (translation = he agreed a pay-off to leave). Kidderminster Harriers are up to sixth after winning 1-0 at AFC Wimbledon, who drop to eighth, while Altrincham are back up to seventh after their 1-0 win at Rushden & Diamonds.

Bottom side Chester City drew 0-0 at second-bottom Hayes & Yeading, who were reduced to nine men after receiving two red cards. Ebbsfleet United are third bottom after drawing 0-0 at home to Crawley, while fourth-bottom Gateshead also drew 0-0, at United's next opponents Grays Athletic, who are 19th. Dean Saunders' position at Wrexham is starting to look very tentative after they lost 2-1 at home to Salisbury City. [@news]2570[/@news] [@opponent]barrow[/@opponent]