Managers Paul Simpson and Pete Wild blasted the “brainless idiot” who threw a firework onto the pitch during the Barrow AFC v Carlisle United Papa John's Trophy game.

And Carlisle manager Simpson said there had been a serious risk to his goalkeeper Michael Kelly, who had been about to pick the device up, thinking it was a flare.

An arrest was made after someone in the home end threw a firework into United’s penalty area in the third minute of the Papa John’s Trophy game at Holker Street.

Fortunately nobody was injured in the incident with Kelly far enough away from the firework as it went off.

But it caused the game to be held up for 17 minutes as investigations were conducted.

A Barrow fan has since been issued with a life ban from the stadium.

READ MORE: Barrow issue statement after firework incident at Carlisle United game

Simpson, speaking after United's 2-0 defeat, said: “That is just a brainless thing to do.

“I don't get what enjoyment that idiot has got out of that.

“I really hope, if he has been caught, he gets dealt with with the strongest possible action.”

Simpson said it was “quite scary” to consider the possible consequences of such behaviour.

Speaking about goalkeeper Kelly, the United boss said: “He was going to go and pick it up. He did step forward because he thought it was a flare.

“It made me jump. I'm not really fussed about fireworks normally but that made me jump – so I dread to think what it did for Mick. There's no place for it.”

Barrow boss Pete Wild said he was “appalled” by what happened and issued an apology to Carlisle.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria, the Bluebirds manager said: “Let me be clear – I don’t want anybody coming to this ground who wants to behave in that way.

READ MORE: Barrow v Carlisle United as it happened

“When I came to this club it was based on being a really good family club, and I don’t want to bring my family to somewhere they’re gonna be throwing fireworks on the pitch.

“I’m appalled. I apologised to the Carlisle manager straight away.

“One, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt – the Carlisle goalkeeper could easily have got hurt, which is absolutely ludicrous.

“You can get a massive fine, which affects my budget, and ultimately, it is a possibility that we could have games behind closed doors.

“We’ve had 18 months of that [with Covid] – why would we want to go back to that?”

Simpson, responding to Wild’s apology, said: “Pete Wild doesn't need to apologise to me, it is one absolute clown who thinks it's smart. It's just dangerous.”

Barrow issued a statement after the game confirming that a fan had been arrested and issued with a life ban.