Barrow conceded two tries in the last six minutes to lose a tight game at Swinton by 20-18.
It leaves Barrow joint bottom of the Championship alongside fellow Cumbrians Whitehaven, the only two sides without a point after three games.
Josh Eaves, who had signed for Whitehaven until university commitments interfered with his training availability, grabbed the first of them on 74 minutes.
Dan Abram, a former Whitehaven player, landed the goal but Barrow still held the advantage at 18-16.
But then with two minutes remaining Jordan Gibson found enough space down the right wing to get in at the corner for the match-winning try.
It was a disappointing finish to a game Barrow should have had wrapped-up before the end.
Ryan Shaw had put Barrow in front after only three minutes when Swinton were penalised for a high tackle on Luke Cresswell. The visitors opted for the kick and Shaw obliged.
Shane Toal came to Barrow’s rescue when he took a high ball on his own line as Swinton players swarmed round him.
The Lions had Ollie Olds sent to the bin on 14 minutes yet they had the better of things.
Jumah Sambou was knocked into touch as he tried to dive over in the corner and then Abram put them level. He opted to go for goal from almost on halfway and was successful.
The Lions had a full complement when Barrow regained the lead a minute before the break.
They moved the ball smartly wide to the left where Toal went in for an unconverted try.
The 6-2 Barrow lead reflected how tight and tough it had been in the first-half.
The scores were level again within tw minutes of the restart as Jayden Hatton finished off with an unconverted try in the corner.
On 51 minutes Barrow were back in front when some slick handling allowed Greg Worthington to cross for what was his 100th career try. Shaw converted.
The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as Swinton pulled back to within two points with an unconverted try on 63 minutes.
Andrew Badrock, a contender for try of the week last Sunday, was successful again as he found enough space in the Barrow defence to go in and touchdown.
On 68 minutes Swinton suffered a blow when Luke Waterworth was sent to the sin bin and it looked costly as a minute later Ryan Johnston darted over from dummy half and Shaw converted.
At 18-10 against 12 men Barrow should have been capable of closing out the game. But they weren’t.
Eaves, who joined Swinton just before the start of the season after his Whitehaven contract was cancelled, scored the try which Abram converted.
Then with time running-out Gibson squeezed over for the winning try to the anguish of Crarey and his coaching team.
