Barrow lost their final League Two game of the season, going down 1-0 at home to promoted Stevenage.
It wasn’t going to change their finishing position of ninth, whatever happened, and after dicing with relegation last year that’s a welcome improvement.
While the defeat did not change Barrow’s position the victory mean that Stevenage had clinched second place and promotion for them.
Like Barrow they too had been down among the strugglers last season so their improvement has been even more dramatic.
Jake Reeves’ first-half winner after 25 minutes was his first goal since early December and that had come in the 5-0 home win over the Bluebirds.
Both keepers had been restricted to routine work until Barrow did not properly clear Max Clark’s cross and from the edge of the area Reeves found the bottom corner.
Stevenage keeper Adam Przybek had to work hard in the second-half to keep his side in front, starting with a clean catch to hold a well-struck shot from Robbie Gotts.
He then produced a remarkable double save with 20 minutes left, twice denying Ged Garner, first from point-blank range and then to stop an acrobatic follow-up effort from the home forward.
Przybek’s last save of note came five minutes later when he did well to keep out a strong shot from Josh Kay.
Barrow substitute Jake Young had a good chance near the end but fired over the top and in stoppage time Reeves could have had a second but saw his shot go over after clipping the crossbar.
