New strike pairing Andy Atkin and Jamie Taylor both scored just before half-time to give Eastbourne Borough a commanding lead against Barrow.

Taylor eased the growing frustration inside Priory Lane as he latched on to a clever lay off from Andy Atkin to place a cool finish under goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson four minutes before the break.

It was his first competitive goal since arriving in the summer and Atkin doubled the advantage in injury time as he rose to head Simon Weatherstone's cross into the top corner.

Barrow will wonder how they are two goals behind after looking the most cohesive side in the first half.

They had the first chance when Carlos Logan cut inside from the right wing and sent a shot over the bar.

Weatherstone had a chance at the other end almost immediately but seemed surprise to find himself clean through and his soft lob went straight to Tomlinson.

It started to look like Weatherstone was going to be the only one to score when he forced Tomlinson to parry with a 35-yard thunderbolt and then hit a 20-yard free kick straight at the keeper.

The former Crawley midfielder also hit a shot on the turn at Tomlinson and then saw another 35-yarder fly just wide before a volley deflected narrowly past a post.

Despite all their chances Barrow looked the better team going forward and should have taken the lead in the 27th minute. Jason Walker sent David Foley clear down the right and his low cross was lifted over by Aaron Taylor from six yards.

The Bluebirds almost equalised after Taylor had given Borough the lead when his header was tipped over the bar.