WREXHAM threw away yet another lead as they let Barrow back into this match with an own goal, before conceding the winner and then having Mani Assoumani sent off in bizzarre fashion.

What little goalmouth action there was in the opening 45 minutes came from the visitors, but still it was not quite enough for Wrexham to take the lead.

After just four minutes, Spann crossed from the right and Lamine Sakho headed back in from the left wing, allowing Mark Jones to step up and croack an effort that crashed against a Barrow post.

Two minutes later the home side responded with a header from striker James Walker that drifted off target, when the Scot had worked himself into some space, escaping the attentions of Ashley Westwood.

Just three minutes later, Mark Jones curled a 25-yard free kick round the Barrow wall and forced Tim Deasy into a full length diving save.

Wrexham were looking the better side, but still prone to some unforced and silly errors, which meant a number of promising moves came to nothing.

Midway through the first half, Sakho took another free kick on the edge of the home box and his effort brought another finger tip save from Deasy, whoi was able to dive to his right and push the ball away.

Centre half Paul Jones was subbed on 34 minutes, with Mike Pearson taking his place.

Right on half time, Phil Bolland clipped the ankles of Andy Mangan, which upset the striker to the extent that he squared up to the centre back - only earning both players a yellow card.

Ht 0-0

The second half opened with Andy Fleming having a drive from just outside the box.

Just after the hour mark, Mark Jones struck a superb shot from the edge of the box to fir Wrexham into the lead.

This followed good build up play on the right wing when Silvio played the ball in for Mangan to set up Jones and the Wales international didn't disappoint with a shot reminiscent of his glory days in a Wrexham shirt.

Not that our lead lasted long, as within five minutes the Bluebirds were handed a goal to get them back into the match.

Former Red Paul Edwards, battled away on the left flank and despite coming under pressure managed to force the ball into the Wrexham penalty area.

Midfielder Andy Bond got in a shot that struck Russell on the chest and the ball rebounded into play. With no Barrow player close by, Ashley Westwood looked favourite to hook it away to safety, but somehow the ball got stuck under his feet and he only succeeded in forcing it over his own line for the equaliser.

Having got back on level terms, Barrow made a double substitution, taking off their froward pair of Walker and Blundell, while sending on Nick Chadwick and newcomer Kayleden Brown as Wales U19 international.

Former Chester man Chadwick wasted little time and in 76 minutes he raced onto a through ball, taking it in his stride and firing a rising shot passed Russell for what proved to be the winning goal.

Holden was bemused to be given a caution when the referee booked him for moving the ball at a free kick on the half way line, what must have been something like a few feet!

Matty Wolfenden was sent on for his now traditional cameo role in the dying minutes.

The visitors tried hard to look for a way back into the match, but despite Sakho heading one effort wide and Mangan almost breaking through the Barrow defence, there was to be no late salvation - as we had witnessed on our last visit to Holker Street.

Then to cap off a bad night, defender Mani Assoumani received his marching orders for a tackle on Paul Edwards, but the referee strangely issued a yellow card at first (probably in error) and then pulled out a red!

The handful of travelling Wrexham fans who had bothered to make the midweek trip to Cumbria were left wondering, just how things had gone so horribly wrong on the night!

Barrow (4-4-2): Tim Deasy, Simon Spender, Paul Edwards, Paul Jones (Mike Pearson 34), Phil Bolland, Paul Rutherford, Andy Bond, Robin Hulbert, Simon Wiles, Jason Walker (Nick Chadwick 66), Gregg Blundell (Kayleden Brown 66).
Subs: Mark Boyd, Stuart Tomlinson.

Wrexham: Sam Russell, Silvio Spann (Curtis Obeng 63), Mani Assoumani, Ashley Westwood, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Andy Fleming, Christian Smith (Matty Wolfenden 82), Wes Baynes (Luke Holden 75), Lamine Sakho, Andy Mangan.
Subs: Hedi Taboubi, Neil Taylor.

Referee: Jez Simpson (Lancs)
Attendance: 1,066
Away: 55

Sending Off -
Wrexham: Assoumani (90, foul)

Bookings -
Barrow: Bolland (45, dissent)
Wrexham: Mangan (45, dissent), Holden (80, disent)