Oxford United had their lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier cut to six points as they were forced to settle for a point at blustery Barrow.

Jon Shaw gave the home side the lead when he turned in a deflected shot that ricocheted into the net off both posts.

Luke Foster equalised with a powerful header from an Adam Murray cross.

U's dominated the second half, Barrow keeper Stuart Tomlinson making a series of fine saves while James Constable hit the bar with a fierce last-minute shot.

Foster's first goal of the season came on his 100th appearance for Oxford. And he came close to bagging a second, only to head Jamie Cook's corner over the bar.

Nine-goal top scorer Constable then had a speculative effort well-gathered by Tomlinson, who superbly beat away Cook's long-range strike in the closing minutes.

And Constable thumped a rasping right-foot drive against the bar as the Bluebirds, who had beaten high-riding Mansfield 3-1 in midweek, held on for a second fine result at Holker Street in five days.

Barrow: Tomlinson, Jelleyman, Dugdale, Jones, Pearson, Kamara, Hulbert, Bond, Wainwright, Shaw, Walker.
Subs Not Used: Deasy, Logan, Sheridan, Rutherford, Rogan.

Booked: Hulbert.

Goal: Shaw 29.

Oxford Utd: Clarke, Chapman (Batt 70), Foster, Creighton, Kinniburgh, Bulman, Murray (Midson 67), Clist, Green, Cook, Constable.
Subs Not Used: Turley, Sandwith, Perry.

Booked: Constable, Midson.

Goal: Foster 38.

Attendance: 1,561.

Referee: J Collins (Wales).

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