Sub Patrick Kelly's late strike was the only difference between the two sides in Cumbria.
The first half was largely a non-entity in terms of attacking play. Rovers had a couple of sniffs early doors through Luke Molyneux but after he put the ball into the net from close range he quickly saw the flag raised for a foul in the build-up. Another chance quickly arrived after Jamie Sterry led a counter-attack and fed Molyneux who took far too much time, allowing a back-tracking Barrow defender to stub out the danger.
Sterry then suffered an early withdrawal after a coming-together with a Barrow player. The full-back was clutching his arm and/or shoulder as he trudged off the pitch to be replaced by Harry Clifton.
Molyneux fashioned the first chance of the second half but his header was kept out well by an alert Wyll Stanway in the Barrow goal to keep out his header from close range. The hosts then came close with Sam Foley kept out by Ted Sharman-Lowe before George Broadbent's last-gasp challenge diverted a cross-shot from Neo Eccleston onto the woodwork.
Both sides pressed for a winner and after Jordan Gibson, on as a late substitute, saw a fierce drive kept out by Stanway inside the box the breakthrough was finally made by another sub.
Patrick Kelly sidefooted home from a clever Clifton pull-back inside the box. Barrow pushed but Rovers held on for the win.
Here's how we rated the Rovers players today:
5. Jack Senior 6
Competent in his one-on-one duels first half before being subbed off at the break. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD
6. James Maxwell 6
Was good defensively and trudged forward when he could, providing a useful outlet. A shame when he had to go off injured just after the restart. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD
7. George Broadbent 7
Crisp passing although the odd ball was off-key. Solid, if not spectacular showing and put in some vital blocks second half as Barrow pushed on. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
8. Owen Bailey 7
Full of energy and biting tenacity. Shifted about plenty and filled in at right-back after a formation switch-up in the second half. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD