Jimmy McNulty managed to get minutes into 21 members of his squad, including new arrival Levi Amantchi, against the Bluebirds, who begin their league campaign next weekend.
Dale controlled the majority of possession in the first half against their EFL opponents and had the ball in the net inside minutes. However, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was deemed to be in an offside position before finding Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who turned the ball home.
Oliver Whatmuff comfortably held a back-post header from Ben Jackson shortly afterwards, whilst Devante Rodney, who penned a new deal during the week, saw a shot blocked inside the area after Ethan Ebanks-Landell had won a header from a corner.
The best chance of the half was created by Dale, as Harvey Gilmour won a midfield 50-50 and found David Tutonda. He drove forward and played a through ball to Aidan Barlow, who rounded Barrow goalkeeper Wyll Stanway, but hit the side netting from a tight angle.
After the break, Rodney sent a first-time shot curling over after Joe Pritchard’s cross had been blocked away, before Whatmuff made a strong save from Connor Mahoney’s close-range effort.
Kyron Gordon almost got on the end of an Adebayo-Rowling cutback but couldn’t quite make contact inside the area, whilst Elliot Newby fired well off target for the hosts.
The only goal of the game arrived just two minutes from time via the penalty spot. Substitute Dan Moss was adjudged to have fouled Mahoney in the area, with Kane Hemmings stepping up and dispatching from the spot.
Barrow AFC | Stanway, Raglan (89’ Shipley), Canavan ©, Jackson, Smith, Walker (46’ Mahoney), Newby, Foley, Cameron (67’ Hemmings), Booty (89’ Fletcher), Harper (67’ Earing).
Unused subs | Winterbottom, Worrall.
Scorers | 88’ Hemmings (p).
Dale | Whatmuff, Adebayo-Rowling (89’ Trialist B), Gordon (77’ Moss), Ebanks-Landell © (70’ Hogan), Tutonda (46’ Beckwith), Pritchard (70’ Allarakhia), East (89’ Pettit), Gilmour (89’ Edwards), Barlow (70’ Humbles), Rodney (60’ Henderson), Dieseruvwe (70’ Amantchi).
Unused subs | Trialist A.
Attendance | 1,051 (138 Dale fans).
