Into the final straight, it’s now any two from five heading for the National League and Barrow are in the drop zone four points off safety.
The Bluebirds do have a game in hand of their rivals in trouble – Tranmere, Crawley and Newport – and also Harrogate who they share bottom spot with.
But they need to win Tuesday’s catch-up game with Oldham to boost hopes they can climb clear, and not leave it to a last day clash at home to Newport.
Their latest defeat was at Barnet, despite getting off to a flier with a goal on two minutes from Josh Gordon.
The striker had a pop from the edge of the box and it beat keeper Cieran Slicker at his near post.
But Barnet came back from that rocky start to win 3-2 with the decisive goal coming six minutes from the end.
Barnet are making a late run for the play-offs and are just two points shy, although Grimsby have two games in hand and look favourites to claim the final place.
The Bees had gone close to levelling though Nnamdi Ofoborh and Ryan Glover butfinally got on terms right on half time. Mark Shelton got on the end of Idris Kanu’s cross and his deflected effort was turned home by Kabongo Tshimanga.
Seven minutes into the second half Barrow were undone when a lovely pass from Callum Stead released Shelton and he made no mistake.
To their great credit Barrow came back and after 73 minutes they were on terms when Rekeem Harper finished well after driving into the home area.
But Barnet were not to be denied and Stead was there to head home from a fine cross by substitute Diallang Jaiyesimi.
Barrow now look to Tuesday night and the visit of Oldham who still have an outside chance of making the play-offs.
