The modest and much-debated Papa John's Trophy finally produced something everyone could agree on last night – that the imbecile who threw a firework onto the pitch at Barrow hardly deserves to be let out of the house again, never mind allowed into another football ground.

Let us first be thankful that Carlisle United's Michael Kelly, the player closest to the pyrotechnic, was far enough away from it not to be endangered by the blast in the United penalty area.

But let us also still be clear: this was an appalling moment that invites all sorts of repercussions. First in line, hopefully, will be the punishment of the single-braincelled individual who purported to support Barrow AFC by way of trying to recreate November 5 in the visiting 18-yard box.

More broadly, it is the sort of moment that can bring unwanted sanctions to a club. Players’ safety was plainly put at risk the moment the firework was lobbed from somewhere towards the back of the Holker Street End and erupted a few yards in front of goalkeeper Kelly.

READ MORE: Arrest made after firework incident at Barrow-Carlisle game

It took fully 17 minutes from that scandalous action for the game to get back under way, after a prolonged pause. That interlude brought extended discussions between match officials, players, staff, security staff and police.

There were two public address announcements, and the eventual clearing of the entire home section at that end of the pitch. Any similar incident would see the game abandoned, fans were told. A number of officers occupied the Holker Street End as the match got back under way.

Seriously, where to start with all this? For Barrow this must have been the most depressing and humiliating night – a cup game between two Cumbrian clubs where a certain rivalry went, thanks to one moron, into a dark place.

For the perpetrator, it is necessary to make certain things plain. You are not a Barrow supporter. You are not, in fact, a football supporter of any proper hue.

You are disqualified from considering yourself either the moment you sneak a firework into the stadium and introduce it to the penalty area, instead of…you know, supporting Barrow, watching the game; the usual grown-up stuff.

You don’t have to think hard to imagine the social media group where what went off last night is shared for sniggers. It’s easy to imagine that it went down extremely well in that bovine, copycat subculture where taking things to extremes, no doubt egged on by peers, gains you points.

Well, let us hope Barrow’s swift action last night ensures it is rendered not as smart as it may have seemed, as sparks flashed and erupted in front of Kelly.

A lifetime stadium ban, and further punishment following arrest, ought to apply a little focus to that tiny mind, and perhaps one or two others.

To repeat: you do that, you’re not a fan. You haven't evolved to that basic stage. All things considered, you’re still in nappies.