Barrow’s slim hopes of snatching a play-off place all but evaporated with a 1-0 defeat at Grimsby Town.
They are seven points off the play-offs with three games left, and there are at least five teams better placed to fight it out over the closing fixtures.
Substitute Danilo Orsi scored a 77th-minute winner after Barrow had gone close to taking the lead themselves.
Barrow keeper Paul Farman had to make the first telling save of the game on seven minutes when he got down to deal with an effort from Otis Khan after he had worked himself an opening.
Jake Young had Barrow’s first serious effort but was on the stretch and fired over the top.
There were few other opportunities for either side in the first half although Grimsby’s ex-Carlisle keeper Max Crocombe did well when called upon to thwart Young just before the break.
Soon after the resumption Barrow went close twice in quick succession when Tyrell Warren headed against the bar and Niall Canavan forced Crocombe into a brilliant save.
Barrow midfielder Josh Kay was denied by an offside flag and it was the curling finish from Orsi which eventually settled a close contest.
