Luke Jenkins netted on debut, but a young Dons side succumbed to a second-half fightback from Barrow as we left Holker Street empty handed.
With Nik Tzanev ruled out due to injury, Nathan Broome came in for his league debut and four academy graduates made the starting line-up. Under-18s goalkeeper Harry Griffiths and striker Obed Yeboah were among those on a very youthful substitutes' bench for a Dons squad missing nine first team regulars. Another late blow was dealt with Huseyin Biler missing.
We got off to a dream start when Jenkins netted on debut from inside the area, the defender turning and firing the ball low into the net after getting on the end of an Armani Little set-piece. Five minutes later, Kasey McAteer fired a shot from outside the area which tested Barrow keeper Paul Farman, who struggled to keep hold of the ball at the first attempt.
It had been an encouraging first quarter of the game for the Dons, who maintained an attacking presence. Just past the midway point of the half, Isaac Ogundere was shown the first yellow of the afternoon. In the 28th minute, Ethan Chislett showed good skill to fight his way into the penalty area, before forcing Farman to save at his feet.
For all their possession, Barrow offered little in attack to trouble Broome. They did launch a counter-attack when Saikou Janneh was down on the turf requiring treatment, but the ball ended up going over the crossbar. With half-time approaching, Ogundere was fortunate to escape with just a ticking off and not a second yellow from the referee for a foul on White.
We piled forward with half-time approaching and Barrow only just avoided conceding a second after a goalmouth scramble. In time added on, a combination of Farman, White and the upright denied Chislett from doubling the Dons lead.
It was so far, so good, for the 186 Dons fans showing such loyal support a long way from home, but Barrow responded in the second-half and they were level on the hour. Canavan met the ball unchallenged to head home from a corner and there was worse to come from a Wimbledon perspective. With Jenkins off the pitch receiving treatment, our goal came under siege in the 74th minute and Gordon completed the turnaround for Barrow after we failed to clear.
Alfie Bendle eventually came on to replace Jenkins in the aftermath of the goal and in the closing stages Johnnie Jackson made a double substitution with Quaine Bartley and Sam Pearson replacing Kasey McAteer and captain Alex Woodyard.
With minutes remaining, Obed Yeboah came on for his senior debut, replacing Janneh, but a late equaliser proved beyond Wimbledon and Barrow ultimately claimed all three points.
AFC Wimbledon: Broome, Ogundere, Nightingale, Jenkins (Bendle), Currie, Woodyard,(Pearson), Marsh, McAteer (Bartley), Little, Chislett, Janneh (Yeboah).
Photos: Simon Davies (Pro Sports Images).