There could not have been a bigger contrast after Barrow lost 2-0 at home to Cambridge in League Two.
That win moved the visitors to within a point of the play-offs while Barrow are dangerously placed in 17th, just four points from the drop zone.
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu scored twice in the second-half to secure the points against a disappointing Barrow side.
Crucially Barrow had missed the best chance of a goalless first half.
Rekeem Harper found himself in space and with a free header from a corner, but he put his header wide.
There was also an opportunity for the Bluebirds but Elliot Newby fired over from close range
The visitors had chances as well but they finally broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half.
Mpanzu was on hand to fire home after home keeper Ben Winterbottom had parried the first shot from Glenn McConnell.
Cambridge were much the better side in the second half and Winterbottom had to make an excellent save to keep out a header from Mamadou Jobe.
They made sure of the win in stoppage time when Mpanzu slotted home a cross from Elias Kachunga after a swift counter-attack.
