A LAST-GASP goal saw Barton pick up a much-needed point from a terrific 4-4 draw against fifth-placed Melton which lifted them off the bottom of the ENER-G Midlands Division One table.
The pre-game message from manager Jim Williams and skipper Jon Naseby was for an improved defensive display, and that was helped by the return of Nick Tomlinson in goal.
The hosts started well, frustrating the opposition with great work-rate in defence as they looked to counterattack.
This ploy worked to great effect, with a flowing forward move by the midfield trio of Craig Tilke, Jacob Foster and Mark Ashton-Blanksby creating the first short corner of the game within the first three minutes.
The ever-reliable Jacob Foster stepped up and fired an unstoppable drag-flick past the Melton goalkeeper.
Unfortunately for the home side, they conceded an equaliser almost immediately from a poorly executed short corner.
The ball was fired across the D and took a lucky deflection, wrong-footing a helpless Tomlinson.
Despite the setback, Barton stuck to their game plan and another great counter-attacking move saw Ash Parr show great desire and skill to tee up fellow forward Luke Deacon for a simple finish.
Once again, the classy Melton outfit were quick to bounce back as they were in no mood to roll over.
Strong work down Barton’s left allowed them to fire a dangerous ball across the D which Barton skipper Naseby, in attempting to intercept, inadvertently fired into his own net.
The game calmed to a less frantic pace after the fourth goal.
Barton’s defence of halfbacks Mark Moore and Sam Manning and full-backs Naseby and Jaime Foster steadied the ship and began to control play.
However, five minutes before the end of the first half, Barton conceded another short corner which Melton converted to give them a 3-2 half-time lead.
The message at half-time was to keep up the great work-rate and try and created more chances.
The second half began at a fairly slow pace, but as the half wore on, Barton began to put Melton’s defence under pressure, with forwards Will Rawbon and Nathan Deacon causing the opposition defence problems.
The pressure eventually paid off as Barton were awarded a short corner.
Jacob Foster stepped up and fired in a drag-flick left which the keeper saved superbly, but the rebound fell to Ashton- Blanksby, who blasted the ball into the goal.
The half continued in a similar fashion, with both sides creating chances.
With five minutes left, Melton won themselves another short corner and duly converted, with the ball just slipping under Tomlinson as Barton surrendered the lead.
This looked to have shattered Barton’s chances of getting a much-deserved point, but they went on the attack in a bid to save something from the game.
Late drama ensued as Barton were awarded a short corner, which proved to be the final move of the game with the whistle blown.
Specialist corner man Jacob Foster was left with the opportunity to steal a point and he duly did with some style, rounding two oncoming Melton defenders before firing low into the bottom corner.
It was no less than Barton deserved and lifted them off the bottom of the table.
This weekend sees Barton travel to take on bottom side Chesterfield.
