Ecstatic Harrogate Town boss John Reed hailed his side as heroes after turning around a 1-0 deficit to gain a late win over promotion favourites Barrow.

Second-half strikes from substitute Marc Smith and midfielder James Turley wiped out a dubious first-half Barrow penalty to end a three-game losing streak in the UniBond League premier division and complete a hard-earned double over Barrow.

"I thought my lads were heroes," said Reed. "I thought we had more passion and we wanted it more - and the result was spot-on."

Barrow took the lead after 24 minutes after only their first prolonged attacking spell. Referee Gordon Thornton appeared to see right-back Craig Morley handle in the box and awarded a penalty barely seconds after Steve Gaughan had forced Richard Dunning to clear off the line from a long-range effort.

Gaughan made no mistake from the penalty spot with only 'keeper Ashley Connor to beat and fired Barrow ahead.

Glenn Naylor, Colin Hunter and on-loan Aron Wilford - in possibly his last match for Harrogate with his loan spell now over - continued to rain chances on the Barrow 'keeper but it wasn't until late in the second half that Town finally started to play.

Reed introduced man-mountain Marc Smith for Naylor on 73 minutes for his first run-out after a six-week ban and he repaid him with a sweet diving header four minutes later, sub number two Mick McNaughton supplying the cross.

Wilford came into his own as the game progressed playing as a strong yet skilful target man and his crowning glory came with just two minutes left on the clock.

The 22-year-old pulled a low cross back from the goal-line and Smith helped it on to Turley to walk into the back of the net to complete a spirited comeback, soured slightly by the sending-off of Barrow manager Ian Turnbull in the 90th minute.

Goole did rivals Selby Town and Pickering Town a favour with a shock away win at Brigg Town to knock them off the top of the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Steve Rollinson and Cameron Stuart were both on target in the 2-0 victory that takes them up to seventh in the table and ends a difficult spell in the league.

But both Selby and Pickering failed to make the most of the chance to close the gap at the top as they drew 1-1.

Selby looked to sneak the lead with two chances in a goal-mouth scramble but leading marksman Joe Gaughan was thwarted by Pickering 'keeper Kevin Martin.

A minute later the Pikes broke against the run of play, and despite being out-numbered, striker Gavin Dickinson found the space to slot home.

Selby could have been rescued with a dubious penalty, but stand-in striker Stuart Lee's effort was superbly saved by Martin.

But with ten minutes to go Gaughan finally found his scoring boots after a ricocheted corner.

"They will be a lot happier going away with a point than we are after all the chances we created," said Robins manager Bob Lyon.

Steve Davey made an almost perfect return after a six-week suspension with a goal in the last five minutes for Harrogate Railway.

But it wasn't enough as the Rail lost 2-1. Eccleshill took the lead after a freak own goal when the ball rebounded in off a defenders face and doubled it after catching midfielder Andy Shuttleworth in possession.

In division one, visitors Yorkshire Amateur proved too strong for Tadcaster Albion as strikes from Tony Garth, Graeme Bingley and Robert Dickinson put the tie beyond reach at 3-2.

Updated: 11:07 Monday, March 15, 2004