Isaac Fletcher’s first goal of the season secured Barrow a welcome 1-0 win over Crewe as they celebrated boss Andy Whing’s 41st birthday in style.
The Bluebirds snapped their dismal four-match losing run with a resolute victory at Holker Street.
Crewe goalkeeper Tom Booth produced a number of good saves, the first of which was keeping out Connor Mahoney early on.
Fletcher missed a great chance for the hosts as well when he blasted over the bar.
On the half-hour mark, Mahoney blasted a strike over and Emre Tezgel should then have put Crewe ahead but he headed over from close range on the stroke of half-time.
Crewe captain Mickey Demetriou fired a long-range shot straight at Wyll Stanway after the break.
The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute when Booth could only punch Ben Jackson’s cross straight to Fletcher to fire home a sweetly-struck volley.
Barrow substitute Innes Cameron missed two chances when he was kept out by Booth before later striking over.
