Two first-half goals helped Boreham Wood to a valuable 2-1 win away at in-form Barrow on Saturday.

Kieran Murtagh’s stunner and a Justin Shaibu penalty had Wood two goals up by the 35th minute, but Jack Hindle made the remainder of the game a tight affair when he notched before half-time.

Mark Ricketts missed out through injury, so Manny Parry came into the back three, pushing Tom Champion further up into midfield.

The hosts had an early sight of goal, but George Legg got down well to push Rhys Norrington-Davies’ effort away after he burst into the box from the left.

Neither side started the game particularly well, but it sprung into life on 19 minutes when Champion won a free-kick 25-yards from goal, and Murtagh stepped up to perfectly curl the ball into the top corner to give Wood a stunning lead.

Shortly after the half hour mark, Wood were awarded a penalty when James Jennings brought down Shaibu, and the Danish forward made no mistake from the spot to give the visitors a healthy cushion.

Only two minutes later, however, Barrow were back in it when Hindle got past Parry on the edge of the area and slid the ball past Legge, and they nearly levelled instantly, but Josh Kay’s diving header landed just the wrong side of the post.

Murtagh almost turned provider in the second half when he lifted a free-kick towards Ralston Gabriel, who couldn’t get his shot away, and David Stephens also met a Murtagh delivery but saw his effort blocked.

Barrow’s efforts throughout the second half were all in vain as Wood defended valiantly to hold onto their lead, which briefly moved them up a spot in the league before Dagenham & Redbridge’s draw on Tuesday night pushed them back down.

Wood will get the chance to move above the Daggers again this Saturday when they play host to Sutton United at Meadow Park, with kick-off at 3pm.