Barrow 2 Gillingham 0: Report of the League 2 match at the So Legal Stadium, Holker Street - James Chester and Emile Acquah on target

Gillingham found the going tough at Barrow in a battle between the play-off chasing teams.

Barrow striker Cole Stockton could have been dismissed after a poor early challenge but James Chester put the hosts in front late in the first half. Emile Acquah’s superb strike made it 2-0 after the break.

An ugly moment just before the end of the game saw Gillingham team-mates Hutton and Masterson both booked after the pair got into an argument which involved some pushing and shoving.

It was a sad end to a night which saw the Gills drop back out of the play-off positions.

Gillingham fans had made the long journey north in good spirits after back-to-back wins and there was a free drink waiting for them at the ground's sports bar courtesy of chairman Brad Galinson.

With just a point and a place separating the sides before kick-off, this was seen as a key match in the battle for a place inside the top seven.

Head coach Stephen Clemence named an unchanged side for the match against a Barrow team who had lost their previous three matches. The hosts certainly appeared to be fired up from the off.

A reckless challenge from Cole Stockton after just four minutes earned him a booking but it should have been a red after going in hard on Jonny Williams.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Williams was singled out for rough treatment by the hosts but it was certainly the worse of several heavy challenges on the Gillingham playmaker.

Kian Spence was also in the referee’s book after nine minutes following a poor challenge on Ethan Coleman.

The Gills struggled to find a way past the Barrow defence in the opening half, trailing by a goal and without an effort at goal as the teams went off at the break.

Barrow forward Acquah had a shot saved and