LANCASTER City produced an encouraging performance to earn a draw in their latest pre-season friendly against Barrow at Giant Axe on Tuesday.

City worked hard against full-strength Barrow side who are preparing for life in the Blue Square Premier after their sensational run to promotion last season.

But against their now, more illustrious neighbours, City matched them for effort and only a late goal denied them the boost of a victory.
Barrow made the better start with their former player Guy Heffernan forced to clear off the line from Andy Bond – himself an ex-Lancaster man – on 15 minutes.

Jason Walker, formerly of Morecambe, also passed up two opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

But City weathered that spell and went ahead on 28 minutes with a second goal in two games for new signing Paul Fildes.

Michael Stringfellow, who again looked strong in midfield, found Fildes who showed he is full of confidence by taking a couple of strides before firing into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

City could have gone in at the break 2-0 up but Neil Marshall's free-kick flashed a foot wide of the near post.

Barrow had more of the possession in the second period but City kept up their excellent work-rate, denying the visitors an easy path to goal.

Lee Hunt hit the post early on in the second period before flashing a header wide while Mark Thornley was quick off his line to deny Walker after clever play by substitute Ashley Winn.

At the other end, Lancaster had a few opportunities with Stringfellow stinging the hands of substitute keeper Aaron Taylor and Fildes heading narrowly over the bar.

As with all friendlies, there were a host of changes with ex-Lancaster man Ryan Elderton one of several to come on for Barrow.

But the game looked like finishing 1-0 to City until, in the last minute, Chris Thompson – who once had a brief spell at Giant Axe – forced the ball home after a corner.

Lancaster City: Thornley, Uberschar, Marshall, Heffernan, Greenwood, Stringfellow, Rushton, Entwisle, Jackson, Fildes, Helliwell. Subs: Cudworth, Redhead, Love, Rigby, Price.

Barrow: Deasy, Woodyatt, Burns, Bayliss, McNulty, Henney, Bond, Boyd, Hunt, Walker, Brown. Subs: Pearson, Winn, Sheridan, Tait, Elderton, Thompson, Taylor.