‘Heart and desire’ pushed 10-man Barrow to shock win at Walsall – Andy Whing

Proud Barrow boss Andy Whing hailed his 10-man Bluebirds’ “heart and desire” after they ended League Two leaders Walsall’s eight-game unbeaten run with a backs-to-the-wall 2-1 win.

Barrow scored with their only two shots on target – a close-range Elliot Newby opener and a cool Charlie McCann finish – and survived an avalanche of late Walsall chances.

Goalkeeper Wyll Stanway was pivotal, producing a string of excellent saves after Lewis Shipley’s dismissal for two bookable offences reduced Barrow to 10.

“It’s a magnificent result – they are a top team who put you under pressure,” Whing said.

“You fear the worst after the sending-off but the lads worked their absolute socks off with 10 men for 40 minutes against the league leaders.

“We dug in, did our jobs fantastically well, and when we had our moments, we put them away.

“You can’t measure heart, desire and the willingness to work hard for each other, and we had that in abundance.”

Stanway only joined Barrow from non-league Chester last year but Whing believes the sky is the limit for the 24-year-old.

“He’s been outstanding – he’ll end up wherever he wants as he’s that good,” Whing added.

“He’s only been a professional footballer a year and a half and the leap has been magnificent.

“If he keeps doing what he’s doing, unfortunately for us he probably won’t be here too long.

“He’s Barrow born and bred and the fans obviously love him.”

Walsall boss Mat Sadler was phlegmatic after his side lost despite registering 24 shots, including 11 on target.

Daniel Kanu gave them hope with a low finish on the turn but was later denied by Stanway, who also thwarted Charlie Lakin and Courtney Clarke, twice, while an Aaron Pressley header hit a post.

“We threw everything at it throughout,” Sadler said.

“It’s very hard to be too displeased with anything I saw today. We peppered their goal and their keeper has held firm.

“I can’t be too despondent because I thought we played very well. We got in behind a lot, made the keeper work, there was a lot to like about the performance.

“They are probably the most frustrating results but the most important – you don’t want to overlook them but you don’t want to make too much of a deal of.

“Clearly there are more positives than negatives but ultimately we don’t want to concede goals.

“We’ve been very good at defending our penalty area but it’s important we analyse it.”

However, Sadler was perplexed by referee Benjamin Speedie’s failure to award Walsall two penalties for a shirt pull on Aden Flint and a clip on Clarke.

“He can’t be any closer,” Sadler added. “How he doesn’t give both of them, I have no idea.

“I thought he had a poor game today.”