Barrow were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by League One title favourites Oldham who were 22-10 winners at Craven Park.
Paul Crarey, the Barrow coach said later that the best team won the tie and deserved their victory.
“In actual fact they are a Championship side playing in League One,” said Crarey.
The Raiders had to go into the conteston heavy going without several key players, but Crarey was not making that an excuse.
In actual fact his side played well in the first-half and led 10-4 at half-time, but didn’t score another point.
A late tackle on Ryan Johnston in the third minute allowed Ryan Shaw to put them ahead with a successful penalty.
They scored their only try on 15 minutes after Oldham fumbled a high kick and James Greenwood was there to collect and score with Shaw adding the conversion.
Oldham reduced the arrears on 20 minutes when a kick through produced a mass chase and Ben O’Keefe won the race to touchdown, but the conversion was missed.
Five minutes before half-time Shaw increased the home lead to six points with his second penalty and third goal.
Eleven minutes into the second half Oldham were level following a play-the-ball as Matt Wildie dived over. Jamie Ellis landed a simple conversion.
The Raiders were starting to struggle in the heavy conditions and made a succession of errors.
It was no real surprise when Oldham went ahead for the first time after 61 minutes when Adam Lawton powered through the home defence for a try, converted by Ellis.
Barrow thought they had got back into the contest on 70 minutes when Shaw crossed in the corner but the touch judge ruled-out the score.
Three minutes later Oldham clinched the tie when O’Keefe made a smart interception and galloped away to touchdown and Ellis converted.
To compound Barrow’s disappointment they had Luke Broadbent red-carded in the final minute.
In the fourth round Oldham will be away to the winners of the tie between Swinton and West Hull being played this afternoon.
