Bromley slipped from the top of the National League table after falling to only their second defeat of the season, at home to Barrow on Saturday afternoon at Hayes Lane.

With manager Neil Smith having to bring in a new goalkeeper due to the injury to Mark Cousins and reshuffle his back four due to the suspensions of Joe Kizzi and Chris Bush, The Ravens went into the game with a new shape, playing two up front and with Luke Couslon at right back.

Not surprisingly The Ravens struggled to settle as Barrow did the early pressing with John Rooney hitting the side netting from a free kick and Scott Quigley forcing a save from debutant keeper Ryan Huddart.

With the Ravens unable to get going the visitors finally went in front on 36 minutes when Jason Taylor slid a perfect pass through to Dior Angus on the edge of the box and the tricky striker wriggled free of the home defence before placing the ball into the net in off the far post.

Rooney went close soon after with a curling effort that Huddart did well to save and the same player was narrowly off target with a free kick just before the half. 

Bromley started the second half looking much more lively, Michael Cheek hit the bar with a header after good work by Sam Wood and Adrian Clifton headed wide from the follow up as Barrow were pressed back.

But just as the Ravens were looking like getting back into things a quick break up field saw The Bluebirds go two up, when Angus cut in from the left and drove the ball across the face of the goal for Quigley to slide in at the far post and steer the ball over the line unchallenged.

Barrow played with far more tempo and cohesion, with Bromley just looking flat and short of ideas.

Smith rang the changes in midfield and eventually they paid off when sub Adam Mekki broke free on the right and crossed for Cheek who slotted the ball home from close range.

Any hopes of a late comeback were dashed though, as from there Barrow re-took control of the game and finished the stronger side. Rooney drove over from distance after a spell of possession and Marc-Anthony Okoye then managed to deny Byron Harrison with a late block as the visitors’ sub striker looked set to score after some very sloppy defending from the home team. 

Smith now has to lift his side ahead of their trip to Barnet on Tuesday night as Bromley look to make sure these two losses are just a blip in their impressive start to the season.

Bromley: Huddart, Coulson, Wood, Okoye, Holland, Hackett (Mekki 76), Raymond, Bingham, Doughty (Klass 80), Cheek, Clifton (McCoulsky 58).

Subs not used: Dunne, Rees.

Barrow: Dixon, Brough, Taylor, Hird, Rooney, Quigley (Harrison 75), Hardcastle (Dyson 76), Kay, Platt, Angus (Hindle 69), Barry.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Granite.  

Goals: Bromley – Cheek 86mins. Barrow – Angus 36mins, Quigley 54mins.  

Attendance: 2,043 (160 away)

Referee: Mr Tom Reeves