Barrow 0-2 Kettering

Kettering keeper Nathan Abbey played for MK Dons last season

Kettering edged a tight affair against ten-man Barrow at Holker Street.

Nathan Abbey made two fine saves from Barrow's Andy Bond while Marcus Kelly should have opened the scoring for the visitors with a long-range effort.

But the Poppies midfielder made amends in the 53rd minute, firing home from close range after Greg Taylor's header.

Barrow's hopes of a fightback were hit when Robin Hulbert received a second yellow card, with Jean-Paul Marna sealing the win from 18 yards.

The French forward finished neatly from the edge of the box after a fine layoff from Andre Boucaud.

Barrow continued to pile the pressure on the Kettering goal, with Gregg Blundell missing a close-range header from inside the box, but Kettering held on to ensure all three points returned to Rockingham Road.

The result keeps the Poppies in the hunt for a play-off spot, while Barrow remain within two points of the relegation spots in 20th place.

Barrow: Deasy, Spender, Pearson, Jones, Jelleyman, Wiles (Logan 55), Hulbert, Bond, Rutherford, Walker, Chadwick (Blundell 72).
Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Bolland, Boyd.

Sent Off: Hulbert (67).

Booked: Hulbert, Logan.

Kettering: Abbey, Taylor, Roper, Dempster, Jennings, Wrack (Boucaud 62), Hadfield, Noubissie, Kelly (Robinson 82), Appiah (Marna 62), Dance.
Subs Not Used: Cooper, Thomas.

Booked: Jennings.

Goals: Kelly 53, Marna 77.

Att: 1,160.

Ref: Billy Khatib (Tyne & Wear).