Fleetwood beat 10-man Barrow thanks to Ryan Graydon strike

Pete Wild celebrated victory over his former club as Ryan Graydon’s first-half goal gave Fleetwood a 1-0 League Two victory at 10-man Barrow.

Graydon, top scorer last term, opened his season’s account with a 37th-minute strike as Town dominated after Niall Canavan’s 10th-minute dismissal for denying Graydon a goalscoring opportunity.

The Bluebirds skipper could have no complaints with referee Martin Woods’ decision which left his teammates struggling to contain their visitors.

Goalkeeper Wyll Stanway kept them on level terms before Graydon’s goal, saving from Zech Medley’s free-kick following Canavan’s dismissal and then Will Davies.

But what should have been a comfortable victory turned into a nervy ending for Wild and his team.

Barrow threw caution to the wind in the closing 20 minutes and the Cumbrians went close to a late equaliser.

However, Fleetwood’s first Football League win over their hosts was guaranteed as Jay Lynch made his only save of note to deny Jack Earing in the 87th minute.

Lewis Shipley did put the ball in Fleetwood’s net in stoppage time but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Lynch.