Pete Wild felt his Barrow side created enough goalscoring opportunities to win two games before eventually slumping to a 1-0 defeat at Grimsby which virtually ends their League Two play-off hopes.
Grimsby striker Danilo Orsi came off the bench to settle the match in the 77 minute with a well-taken winner at Blundell Park, leaving Barrow seven points off the top seven with only three matches to play.
Wild said: “It was really frustrating, as I think we had enough chances to win two games out there tonight, but we have not been able to take them and sometimes things don’t go your way.
“We limited Grimsby to two shots. Defensively we were spot on with one lapse in concentration and they’ve scored from that.
“It was all us, wasn’t it? We’ve had our chances, looked composed on the ball and worked hard off it.
“That’s the cruel reality of football if you don’t take chances. It’s all about creating chances and putting the ball in the net.”
Grimsby took first aim after seven minutes when Otis Khan waltzed past his marker and forced Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman into a low save before Jake Young fired moments later at the other end.
Kieran Green sent a wayward effort over from 25 yards and Max Crocombe was called upon to deny Barrow forward Young shortly before the interval.
Barrow twice went close after the break with Tyrell Warren heading against the crossbar and Niall Canavan forcing Crocombe into a brilliant save.
Barrow midfielder Josh Kay was thwarted by an offside flag as the clocked ticked by, before Orsi curled home the Grimsby winner.
It was a win that moved Grimsby up to 12th position as they aim to build on their memorable FA Cup run with a top-half finish after winning promotion from the National League last season.
Mariners manager Paul Hurst said: “It looked like a game where both teams had found it difficult to get any flow into their play. It wasn’t the greatest spectacle and maybe that was the amount of games catching up.
“Barrow had their header which hit the crossbar, but we had a couple of situations ourselves we could have done better with.
“In the end, as I said at half-time, [could we find that] one moment of quality.
“I have to say that Danilo took his goal extremely well. He took an extra touch which opened it up for him and I’m pleased for him as the lads that came on played their part, as well as the starters.”
