Carlisle United 1-0 Barrow AFC: Adu-Adjei the derby hero

Loanee Adu-Adjei's cool finish on 35 minutes proved the difference in the Blues' first home league game of the season.

Carlisle survived a last-gasp scare when Barrow sub Andy Dallas headed home only for the offside flag to deny the visitors.

United, in front of a 9,813 Brunton Park crowd, secured their first home win since New Year's Day and extended Barrow's wait since 1960 to beat the Blues in league football.

But the win may have come at some cost with Terell Thomas going off at half-time and Ben Williams also replaced in the second half with a knock.

Adu-Adjei, who impressed throughout, got the all-important goal when he ambushed Theo Vassell before shooting calmly across Paul Farman.

United were by far the stronger side in the first half with Josh Vela, Ben Barclay and Harrison Neal all testing the visitors with shots.

Barrow came back at Carlisle in the second half with sub Ged Garner and Kian Spence enjoying chances before Dallas was denied by the offside flag.

The result eases some of the early-season pressure at United following consecutive defeats in league and cup following last season's relegation.

United boss Simpson brought Williams back into the XI in his only change to the side that started against Stoke City in Tuesday's Carabao Cup defeat.

Charlie Wyke congratulates Adu-Adjei (Image: Ben Holmes)

He took the place of Jack Ellis at left wing-back - while Luke Armstrong was out of the squad, the striker allowed to be with his partner after she went into labour.

Georgie Kelly, despite a midweek groin concern, was on the bench.

Barrow handed a first outing to Huddersfield Town loanee Neo Eccleston in defence, with Rory Feely absent, while Elliot Newby and Emile Acquah came back into their side having been subs in midweek.

The game got under way after a minute's applause in memory of former United owner and chairman Andrew Jenkins, images of whom appeared on the big screen as fans of both clubs paid their respects.

Barrow carved out an early opening as Robbie Gotts arrived onto a free back-post header, but his finish did not worry Harry Lewis.

Carlisle then built plenty of territory and pressure in the first half, with Barclay ,again in midfield, also launching an early series of long throws into the Barrow box.

Vela almost set up Adu-Adjei with a cross, before the midfielder fired over the bar on the half-volley after an Archie Davies break.

At the other end Vassell couldn't get an accurate finish on an inswinging corner, before United pressed Barrow again, Barclay's shot deflected wide.

Carlisle forced a number of corners but couldn't force a clear-cut chance, while Newby went close on the break for the Bluebirds as he arrived at the back post during a spell of Barrow possession.

United had claims for a penalty turned down when Ben Jackson blocked Adu-Adjei's shot, ref Matt Corlett ignoring handball appeals.

Moments later, Aaron Hayden rose to meet Williams' deep corner but his header struck the outside of the post.

Adu-Adjei curls home the winner (Image: Ben Holmes)

Carlisle, though, remained the stronger side and broke the deadlock on 35 minutes through the industrious Adu-Adjei, who gave Vassell the slip before cutting in and curling a composed finish across Farman.

United kept up the pressure after the opener with Barclay seeing a shot saved by Farman and Neal having an attempt blocked at the end of a strong first-half effort by the Blues.

Carlisle were forced into a change at the break with Thomas replaced by Sam Lavelle.

Barrow came forward and Vela had to put in a strong sliding challenge to get in the way of Jackson's shot, before Williams broke down the left and saw his cross met by Vela, but he failed to get a clean connection as Farman saved.

Davies then embarked on a bright run from the right, beating Jackson then getting away from another Barrow man before his shot was blocked.

Eccleston and Mahoney looked to create something down the right for Barrow but Acquah couldn't keep his header down when Mahoney crossed.

Visiting boss Stephen Clemence made a double change before the hour mark, with Ged Garner and Kitia Kouyate replacing Acquah and Newby.

The visitors applied some sustained pressure in the United half as the hosts battled to regain some control - but the Blues did force a chance on 66 minutes when Adu-Adjei ambushed Vassell before Charlie Wyke laid it to Williams, who sliced his right-footed attempt.

The Piataks watch the game from the new executive areas in the East Stand (Image: Ben Holmes)

More good work by Carlisle saw Neal spread play to Davies, who fed Vela's determined run but the midfielder's cross was too close to Farman.

Another Barrow change saw frontman Dom Telford on for midfielder Gotts, soon after Williams' free-kick had just eluded Wyke in the visiting box.

United were then forced into a change as a knock saw Williams replaced by Jack Ellis, with Georgie Kelly also taking Wyke's place up front for the last 15 minutes.

Kelly tried his luck from distance after intercepting Dean Campbell, but Farman got back to hold onto the shot, while Barrow came close when sub Garner worked a throw to Spence, who drilled wide from 25 yards.

Barrow protest as Dallas' 95th-minute goal is disallowed (Image: Ben Holmes)

Dan Butterworth then replaced Adu-Adjei, who received a strong ovation from Blues fans, for the closing stages, while Barrow sent on Dallas with five minutes of the 90 to go.

Lewis confidently claimed a Mahoney cross as Barrow applied late pressure - and there was a huge late scare for United when, after Farman had come up for a late set-piece, the visitors returned a high ball into the box and substitute Dallas headed it past Lewis and into the net.

But the offside flag cut short the Bluebirds' celebrations - and United held on to secure a much-needed win.

United: Lewis, Hayden, Thomas (Lavelle 46) Mellish, Davies, Williams (Ellis 75), Barclay, Neal, Vela, Wyke (Kelly 75), Adu-Adjei (Butterworth 83). Not used: Breeze, Allan, Hetherington.

Goal: Adu-Adjei 35.

Booked: Wyke, Hayden, Barclay, Vela.

Barrow: Farman, Eccleston (Dallas 85), Jackson, Vassell, Canavan, Spence, Campbell, Gotts (Telford 72), Newby (Kouyate 58), Mahoney, Acquah (Garner 58). Not used: Stanway, Foley, Tiensia.

Booked: Gotts.

Ref: Matthew Corlett.

Crowd: 9,813 (885 Barrow fans).