Barrow go into the last two games of the season next to bottom of League Two and in serious danger of a return to the National League.
They were beaten 3-1 at home by Walsall which leaves a trip to promotion chasing Cambridge and a possible winner-take-all home clash with fellow strugglers Newport County.
This latest defeat was particularly disappointing after their outstanding effort in mid-week to beat Oldham Athletic 3-2 at Holker Street.
Their only goal from substitute Jovan Malcolm came near the end by which time Walsall was cruising on a 3-0 lead.
Isaac Fletcher, their mid-week match winner had the first chance of the game but blazed over the bar.
At the other end Daniel Kanu was just over the top with a header while Barrow keeper Wyll Stanway had to produce a decent save to keep out another effort from the same player.
It was Stanway with another very good stop to block Kanu’s shot but this time the ball ran loose and Albert Adomah followed-up to drive home in the 33rd minute.
In first-half stoppage time Walsall doubled their lead when Mason Hancock was able to get on the end of a corner and drilled a shot through Stanway’s legs into the net.
Barrow were close to reducing the deficit on the resumption but Walsall keeper Myles Roberts produced a good save to deny Danny Rose from close range.
The points were sealed after 68 minute when Hancock’s low free kick deceived everyone to find the target and Malcolm’s 88th minute goal was too little, too late.
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