Matthew Dennis scores again as Notts County beat struggling Barrow

Matthew Dennis scored his third match-winner in four games to seal a sixth successive victory for League Two promotion-chasers Notts County as they edged past relegation-threatened Barrow 2-1.

County went ahead in the 16th minute when Nick Tsaroulla’s angled drive flicked in off Barrow midfielder Scott Smith for an own goal, seconds after keeper Wyll Stanway had beaten out Lewis Macari’s cross-shot.

Barrow drew level in the 30th minute when Jack Earing burst down the right and cut the ball across for Charlie McCann to drill in from 15 yards.

Dennis diverted in what proved to be the winner from close range in the 58th minute – his 13th goal of the season – after Barrow had failed to clear a Jodi Jones corner and Scott Robertson turned the ball into the six-yard box.

Dennis should have had another 15 minutes later, but steered wide from three yards at the far post following Tom Iorpenda’s low cross.

Barrow – who fell to a fifth straight defeat – almost saved a point in the 89th minute when Elliot Newby’s cross eluded keeper James Belshaw to reach Joe Anderson beyond the far post, but Jacob Bedeau cleared his shot off the line.