Barrow 0 York City 0: Mills refuses to defend red-carded Walker on his Barrow return

The 15-goal hitman – a former Barrow favourite – was dismissed in stoppage-time following a bad tackle on James Owen.

York’s Andre Boucaud was also shown a straight red card for his involvement in the mass melee that followed Walker’s tackle.

Mills said: “Jason’s, to me, looked a nasty challenge. It looked straight-legged, and until I see it again I have no argument with Jason going off.

“With Andre going off, to pick one person out of that melee is beyond me. They are saying he raised his hands.

“Not long before all this happened the referee (Karl Evans) booked their lad (James Owen) for slapping Andre on the back of the neck. Why hasn’t he sent him off for that?”

Barrow started the stronger and striker Andy Cook hit the post with a header on eight minutes. York goalkeeper Michael Ingham then made a magnificent save to tip over Richie Baker’s free-kick.

The Minstermen improved after the break and a shot from Ashley Chambers was blocked on the line by defender Paul Smith, whom Mills later claimed had handled the ball.

On 67 minutes, a 25-yard free-kick from Walker was turned over the bar by Danny Hurst.

The real drama, however, came deep into six minutes of stoppage-time when promotion-hunting York were reduced to nine men.

Mills, whose fifth-placed side are unbeaten in their last eight games in Blue Square Bet Premier, said: “A 0-0 away at Barrow is a good result for us. It’s a hard place to come and get anything. We got a point and a clean sheet, so I’m delighted with that.”

Barrow: Hurst; Smith, Skelton, Bolland, Hone; Mackreth (Rowe 87), Owen, Baker, Rutherford; Boyes, Cook (Almond 79). Unused substitutes: Pearson, Lomax, Ferrell.

York City: Ingham; Challinor, Meredith, Fyfield, Smith (McGurk 66); Kerr, Boucaud, McLaughlin (Pilkington 59); Chambers (Parslow 90), Walker, Blair. Unused substitutes: Reed, Moke.

Referee: K Evans (Wigan)

Man of the match: Scott Kerr.