Luke Molyneux looked to have an early decent shout for a penalty when Barrow stopper Paul Farman dashed out and appeared to clip him in the area - although referee Seb Stockbridge was having none of it.
It didn't deter Rovers though as it wasn't long before they were celebrating the opener - and Molyneux played a large part in it. He recycled a free-kick that Owen Bailey fed across goal and there was Joseph Olowu to turn home from a few yards out. Incredibly, the lead was doubled almost immediately from kick-off as Kyle Cameron's awful pass was pounced on by Molyneux who finished with aplomb.
Rovers looked to be holding their hosts at arms-length right until the cusp of half-time when Emile Acquah got the slightest of touches to an inswinging corner to reduce the arrears to 1-2.
The second half was far from easy on the eye, with genuine chances at a premium until Molyneux killed off any Barrow comeback with his second of the night. He played a quick one-two with Ethan Ennis from a corner before unleashing a cross-shot that looped over Farman to seal a vital win.
It moves Rovers up to second in League Two, nine points behind leaders Walsall. Here's our Rovers player ratings from Cumbria:
9. Luke Molyneux 9
Quickly shrugged off disappointment of not getting an early penalty by kick-starting the move that led to the opener before a classy finish for the second. A terror when running at Barrow's backline - provided the killer third with a looping, cross-shot. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
10. Joe Ironside 7
Not a game where he enjoyed ample shots at goal. Was more of a night for digging in and doing the nasty stuff - something he is a master at. Photo: Howard Roe/ahpix.com
11. Ethan Ennis 8
Encouraging performance as he ran at his marker Duru whenever the chance presented, making plenty of useful forays forward. Pressed like his life depended on it. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
12. George Broadbent 6
Chucked on as part of a midfield refresh and kept it ticking over. Photo: Howard Roe/ahpix.com