BATTLING Bears went out of the FA Vase to an extra-time winner on Saturday after fighting back from two goals down.

Congleton Town were 2-0 behind at Barrow Town in the second qualifying round with 18 minutes left.

They pulled one back, and took the game into extra time with an equaliser in the tenth minute of stoppage time.

However Barrow came back to score the winner a minute before the end of the first period of extra time.

"A midweek home defeat at the hands of Middlewich in the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup had left an air of despondency over Booth Street," said Bears' press officer Ken Mead.

"However we set off for the Saturday's trip to Barrow with hopes of putting that behind us and earning some much-needed prize money.

"At the final whistle it was hard to disguise the feeling that another defeat had been inflicted by a side from a lower standard, but who played with more heart and less fear.

"For the second time in four days we had conceded three goals against supposedly inferior opposition.

"We now need to regroup if we are to make any impression in the league."

Barrow took the lead through striker Duncan on 25 minutes.

He was allowed too much time and room as he went to head a cross.

The ball hit him on the chest, and it flew past keeper McCormick.

The home side went further ahead eight minutes into the second half.

A corner was headed on, and found Pitman unmarked and with time to pick his spot to head home.

The Bears pulled a goal back on 72 minutes when the Barrow keeper flapped at a cross.

The ball fell to Johnston, who coolly lobbed it back over the defenders and into the net just inside the post.

The Bears' last-gasp equaliser came when a free kick from the left was dropped close to the goal line.

The ball fell kindly to Williams, who drove it goalwards from seven yards.

The shot was blocked on the line, but Williams followed up to fire home.

The Bears were awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the first period of extra time, but it was cancelled out after the referee talked to his assistant.

Duncan scored the winner with a shot from close range.

Congleton are at home to Trafford tomorrow.