STRUGGLING Barrow slipped to a second successive defeat with a 2-0 loss to Cambridge.

Dynamic duo Paul Mullin and Joe Ironside did the damage to sink the hosts at Holker Street.

And a third defeat in four outings leaves battling Barrow tottering just two points above the relegation zone.

Thankfully they have two games in hand over Grimsby and one over Football League basement boys Southend.

But they will need to find some consistency to pull clear of danger.

Mullin ended an uncharacteristic five-game goalless streak with Ironside’s third goal in four games sinking Michael Jolley’s charges.

The prolific pair have 32 goals between them for the table topper.

Victory opened up a three-point cushion at the top of the table for league leaders Cambridge after Forest Green’s game at Mansfield was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Jolley made a trio of changes from the side which lost at Bradford last time out.

Former Carlisle winger Jamie Devitt and Dion Donohue both came in to make their full debuts for the club.

Chris Taylor was also recalled as Luke James was named on the bench following his return from concussion.

The Bluebirds started brightly as Josh Kay saw a deflected effort easily held.

And new boy Devitt lashed a powerful strike just past the post after picking up the ball with his back to goal.

But promotion-chasing Cambridge found got a foothold in the game.

Hosts’ stopper Joel Dixon produced a super save to keep out Harrison Dunk’s strike after a fancy flick from former Norwich midfield maestro Wes Hoolahan.

And battling Barrow agonisingly went behind just before half-time.

It was handful Hoolahan who unlocked the door as goal machine Mullin smashed home his 21st of the season on the stroke of the break.

Dixon barely had to move to grasp Adam May’s audacious stoppage-time effort.

Manager Jolley was quick to make changes before the restart as Lewis Hardcastle and Dan Bramall came on for Tom Beadling and Devitt.

But it was the high-flying visitors who came storming out of the blocks.

The Bluebirds were let off as sprawling Joe Ironside failed to get a touch on Kyle Knoyle’s inviting ball across the face of goal.

Jolley’s side had to soak up some pressure as May, Dunk and Greg Taylor all tried their luck before the hosts clear their lines.

Down the other end, substitute Hardcastle went close as his low effort flew wide on the hour mark.

Mullin squandered a great chance to put the game to bed as he fired over the bar from 10 yards out after Knoyle’s cut back.

And May blasted wide of the target as the visitors continued to threaten.

Desperate Bramall frustratingly failed to hit the target with 10 minutes to go as hopes of a point slowly slipped away.

And Ironside wrapped the game up with six minutes remaining as he poked home Knoyle’s dinked cross.