Barrow slipped to a 3-0 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers to leave them just four points above the League Two drop zone.
They had been the better side in the first half but were unable to break the deadlock and were beaten by three second-half goals – two of them from the penalty spot.
To add to their woes the Bluebirds had Niall Canmavan sent-off near the end when the referee awarded Rovers their second penalty.
Referee Andrew Miller, taking charge of only his second League Two game of the season, had not endeared himself to the Barrow players or fans by awarding the first penalty.
He ruled that Billy Blacker had been fouled inside the area while the Barrow players felt any contact had been made outside the box.
Barrow – without a league win since 18 October – had gone closest in the first-half when Rovers keeper Joe Murphy had to make two good stops to keep out long-range efforts from Ben Jackson, and also did well to stop a header from Jack Earing.
Tranmere had made the breakthrough on 53 minutes when Charlie Whitaker beat Wyll Stanway with a cleverly placed free-kick.
It was the third goal that Whitaker has scored at Holker Street this season, after netting there twice in the EFL Trophy earlier in the programme.
Joe Ironside doubled the lead on 67 minutes with the first of the penalties awarded against the home side.
Four minutes from time Canavan’s challenge on former Carlisle United striker Kristian Dennis was ruled a foul and worthy of a red card. With the home boos still ringing out Dennis beat Stanway from the spot.
