Barrow couldn’t capitalise on a great start at Hartlepool which included a spectacular strike from John Rooney.
They finished on the wrong end of a 3-1 score-line with all the goals coming in the first-half.
Disappointingly for Barrow it was Hartlepool’s first win in nine games and defeat still keeps the Cumbrians looking anxiously over their shoulders.
They still have breathing space with five clubs below them but manager Mark Cooper will be disappointed they didn’t follow-up last Tuesday’s fine win at Northampton, especially after a gutsy draw with Tranmere on Saturday.
They had to weather a strong start from Pool, who were clearly intent on building up some early momentum.
Remeao Hutton offered the first threat for Barrow when he made a decisive run before cutting in and driving his shot over the bar.
Luke Molyneux was to prove a real dangerman for Hartlepool, as events later proved, and in an early foray he pulled a great ball back for a team-mate.
Tom Crawford was on the end of it but his shot was well blocked before Joe Grey clipped the top of the bar from the rebound.
However, it was Barrow who grabbed the lead on 17 minutes with a gem from John Rooney. He got the ball just inside the home side’s half and spotting keeper Ben Killip off his line he lifted a meticulous lob over his head and into the net.
Barrow could have made it 2-0 minutes later from a dangerous Anthony Glennon corner. It went through everyone but unfortunately for Barrow Patrick Brough slipped as he went to finish off and the opportunity was lost.
The goal had sparked Barrow into life and a second goal then could have been decisive. Hutton fired in a precision cross to the front post where Aaron Amadi-Holloway turned quickly to fire a low shot goalwards only for Killip to make a fine save.
It was never the same after that for Barrow. On 27 minutes the hosts were level as the lively Molyneux took possession out on the right, working a shooting chance before finding the bottom corner beyond the reach of Paul Farman.
Then two goals in the last five minutes of the half took the game away from Barrow.
Jamie Sterry’s low cross from the right wasn’t dealt with and Omar Bogle mopped up the chance by steering low past Farman.
The third goal, came on 44 minutes when Molyneux was given too much time on the edge of the area to take aim and a lovely curling left foot shot found the top corner.
The second-half did not produce the goalmouth action that the first had although Molyneux had a chance to grab his hat-trick when he got in down the right but blazed his effort over the bar.
Rooney caused a moment of panic in the Pools penalty area ten minutes from time when his in-swinging delivery dropped inside the six-yard box but there was nobody for Barrow who could get a decisive touch and the hosts were able to clear.
Luke James was denied by a brilliant save from Killip when he got down well and the ball ricocheted up and out off the bar.
Barrow are at home on Saturday in another crucial game against Stevenage who are two places and two points better off in the table.
