Injury-hit Barrow Raiders slipped to another defeat to virtually end their hopes of a top six finish.
Having started the Championship season in excellent form Paul Crarey’s side have been badly affected by a series of injuries.
It has seen them slide down the table to their current position of ninth, three points off the play-offs with three games left.
Widnes Vikings were the latest to take advantage of Raiders’ situation, winning 20-14 at Craven Park.
Barrow had actually led 8-0 at half-time after a determined effort to forge an advantage and keep their line intact.
Brad Walker had kicked an early penalty and then Tee Ritson seized a looping pass from Ryan Johnston to dive over in the corner. Johnston nailed the conversion.
Seven minutes into the second half ex-Whitehaven winger Jake Maizen rounded off a smart handling move for the first Widnes try which went unconverted.
It stayed that way until the 65th minute despite strong Widnes pressure, but they did find a way through Matty Fozard with Will Roberts adding the extras for a 10-8 lead.
Four minutes later they increased that advantage. Joe Edge gathered a kick near his own line and then somehow broke clear to the full length and score a try which Roberts improved.
The clinching try came on 77 minutes when good handling ended with Nick Gregson touching down but Roberts couldn’t convert.
Barrow, for whom Ryan King the ex-Whitehaven and Halifax forward was making his 100th career appearance, put in a big finish and reduced the arrears with a try in the last minute from Joe Bullock which Walker converted.
