Barrow vs Swindon Town. Sky Bet League Two.
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Rory Feely goes in goal for Barrow after first-half red card for Paul Farman for handball. The defender makes some fine saves before conceding heartbreaking late equaliser in Sky Bet League Two clash with Swindon
Saturday 7 September 2024 18:47, UK
Danny Butterworth scored a 98th-minute equaliser to earn Swindon a dramatic 1-1 Sky Bet League Two draw at Barrow after makeshift keeper Rory Feely threatened to become the Cumbrians' unlikely hero.
Without a recognised substitute keeper on the bench, Feely took over the gloves after Paul Farman's 42nd-minute sending-off for handball.
Swindon, also reduced to 10 men after Harry Smith's second-half dismissal for violent conduct, looked set to suffer an embarrassing defeat.
Instead Butterworth, with almost the last kick of the game, tried his luck from 30 yards and saw the ball elude Feely's despairing dive.
Until then Swindon, still without a win this season, only occasionally tested the usual right-back, who was equal to efforts from Paul Glatzel and Butterworth.
Barrow's task eased after 65 minutes when referee Zac Kennard-Kettle, taking charge of his first Football League game, sent off striker Smith after clashing with defender Theo Vassell.
Gerard Garner's third goal of the season after 35 minutes had put Barrow ahead, an angled chip deceiving Jack Bycroft.
Farman's red card for handing Gavin Kilkenny's long-range drive, tipped the contest in Swindon's favour. Instead, Barrow held out and looked set to top the table on goal difference until Butterworth's heartbreaker.
Barrow boss Stephen Clemence:
"I have done it from a good place. I do it to try and win football matches. On average, in League Two in the last few seasons, it's only been eight times a season where a sub goalie comes on.
"I took that chance. And if you look at the way our substitutes have performed in our league and cup games this season the majority of times they have had an influence.
"Rory can be proud of his performance. He made some good saves and his decision making was good considering he hasn't played in goal before.
"Because he had done so well and the crowd was singing his name, he got confident and probably tried to catch it and maybe could have pushed it away. But it happened and we move on.
"I am not devastated at all. At half-time if you had offered me a point I would probably have taken it."
