AFC Telford United 0 Barrow 1
AFC Telford United were hit by a late sucker-punch in a 1-0 loss that marked only the third Skrill Conference North game where they have failed to score.
Sam Sheridan's effort found the top corner for Barrow with 15 minutes to go to settle a scrappy affair at the New Bucks Head, which failed to spark into life.
Telford's six-game unbeaten run came to an end in the process, with a defeat that sees them lose ground in the chase for promotion.
The home side, who failed to create many clear-cut opportunities, went closest to a goal five minutes before the break.
Andy Owens' cross from the left was heading towards Mike Phenix in the six-yard box, but Barrow defender Duran Reynolds spotted the danger and intervened to clear wide.
The Bucks were unchanged from the side that picked up a point in their last outing, a 2-2 draw at Harrogate Town two weeks previously.
Captain Simon Grand, back after five games out with a calf injury, could only warrant a place on the bench in place of Mat Bailey, who has rejoined Nantwich Town.
Shaun Whalley's one-month loan move from Conference Premier side Luton Town had not been completed in time for him to be involved, so Watson's side pressed on without him.
Telford first worked visiting goalkeeper Tony McMillan on 14 minutes when Owens broke on the left wing, sliding the ball across to Charlie Barnett inside the box.
Surrounded by defenders, Barnett played it back out to Russell Benjamin, who rolled it across the middle of the park to onrushing right-back Wes Baynes. His shot drew McMillan to gather down low.
Three minutes later, Paddy Lacey could only head over for Barrow from Ted Cribley's cross, with Ryan Young in the home goal watching the effort to safety.
Telford midfielder Mike Grogan was floored in the corner on 22 minutes by Barrow winger Liam Willis, who was booked for the challenge.
Willis saw a low drive fizz agonisingly wide of the far post, with Young rooted to the spot, through Preston's half clearance from Tom Corner after Cribley's run had caused havoc.
Phenix was then denied by McMillan in the aforementioned opportunity on 51, before Neill Byrne came up from the back and tried his luck seven minutes later.
It was defenders combined as Baynes' free-kick was flicked on by Dan Preston to central defensive partner Byrne but his header was relatively tame, McMillan saving comfortably.
Phenix looked odds-on to score one-on-one with McMillan in the 67th minute, after being put through one-on-one by Owens' flick on.
The wide man just couldn't properly get hold of the ball, which was sticking in the turf, and it ended up being a tame stab at McMillan.
The game seemed destined to end in deadlock and, in all fairness, it was Telford who were the lucky ones if that had come to pass.
But they were left beaten by Sheridan's curler in the 75th minute, the midfielder racing through to strike from the edge of the box after taking substitute Phil Marsh's knockdown into his path.
