Barrow dropped out of the play-off places after a 2-1 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men after 77 minutes when substitute Paul Lewis was sent-off for a rash challenge on home keeper Josh Lillis.
Five minutes later Rovers scored the winner when skipper Kane Hemmings headed his sixth goal of the season when he was on the end of a cross from Josh Dacres-Cogley.
It was a welcome second successive win for Tranmere because their Boxing Day victory over Doncaster was their first in 10 games.
They had minute the right start against the Bluebirds, too, taking the lead on five minutes when defender Jordan Turnbull managed to turn the ball home from close in.
Barrow were able to turn round on level turns as, for the second game in a row, Jordan Stevens thumped in a superb equaliser.
Lillis pulled off a good save to deny Kieron Morris in the second half and Barrow must have thought they could force a win when Lewis was sent-off.
Instead it was Hemmings who rallied his troops, leading from the front with the winner to leave Barrow winless in five games ahead of Monday’s visit from Rochdale.
