Kian Spence at the double as Barrow overcome struggling Gillingham

Kian Spence produced a brilliant strike from distance as Barrow beat struggling Gillingham 3-0.

An often drab affair was lit up by Spence’s 30-yard effort and he added a second before substitute Tyler Smith put the icing on the cake as the Bluebirds extended the visitors’ winless league run to nine games.

Spence had been the man most likely for Barrow, having had the best two chances of the first half which he put wide.

Gillingham enjoyed more of the game late in the first half but Bradley Dack’s free-kick went wide and Asher Agbinone’s shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Paul Farman.

The deadlock was broken on the hour in stunning fashion as Spence met the ball on the half-volley to fire an unstoppable shot beyond Glenn Morris.

MJ Williams came close to doubling Barrow’s lead moments later, shooting from a similar distance, but Morris was able to tip his effort over.

Barrow then secured only a second win in nine games when Spence tapped in with six minutes remaining after excellent work on the left by Ben Jackson.

Smith completed Gillingham’s miserable afternoon when he turned in Robbie Gotts’ pass in the fifth minute of stoppage time.