Gillingham took over from Barrow at the top of League Two after beating the Bluebirds 2-0 in Kent.
It meant a losing return for Barrow boss Stephen Clemence to the club from where he was surprisingly sacked at the end of last season.
Goals from Jayden Clarke (17) and Robbie McKenzie (62) gave the Gills an important win which enabled them to regain top spot with Barrow slipping to third.
The opener came when spotted the run of Clarke and found him with a great pass and he did the rest by scoring his third league goal in as many games.
More home pressure saw George Lapslie miss a great chance when free at the back post and then just before half-time his effort came back off the woodwork.
The Gillingham keeper Glenn Morris kept his side in front with very good second-half saves to deny Emile Acquah and Dean Campbell, while Ged Garner squandered a great chance by firiong wide when he was left unmarked.
McKenzie doubled the Gillingham lead when he was at the far post to score from Jack Nolan’s
It was nearly three but Barrow keeper Wyll Stanway did exceptionally well well to keep out a header from substitute Ethan Coleman.
