Barrow strike twice late on to rescue point at promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon

Posted Sunday, March 23, 2025 by PA

Connor Mahoney scored a stoppage-time equaliser to help Barrow snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

Johnnie Jackson’s hosts appeared to be heading toward a crucial win in the context of the automatic promotion race, but the visitors battled back from 2-0 down in the 88th minute to rescue a point.

The game burst into life in the 24th minute when Marcus Browne hit a thunderous half-volley just inches over the crossbar from outside the box.

The hosts should been ahead in the 33rd minute when Matty Stevens and James Tilley both failed to turn Josh Neufville’s excellent cut-back towards goal.

Bluebirds forward Ben Whitfield volleyed wide from point-blank range after half-time as Barrow looked to take the lead.

And he was made to pay for his disappointing finish in the 59th minute when Browne latched onto Joe Lewis’ long pass before drilling the ball into the top-right corner.

The home fans thought it was 2-0 four minutes later when Browne tapped the ball into an empty net, but the goal was disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

Dons top scorer Stevens thought he had wrapped up the win after scoring his 17th League Two goal of the season in the 85th minute.

However, Dean Campbell halved the deficit with two minutes of regulation time left to make the home fans sweat in the closing stages.

Then, in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Mahoney produced a stunning shot that nestled into the bottom-left corner to rescue a point for the visitors.