Goal twins Scott Quigley and Patrick Brough helped Barrow take another significant step towards Football League safety.

Brough struck in first half stoppage time and Quigley in second half injury time as Rob Kelly’s rejuvenated side extended their priceless unbeaten run to four games over their play-off seeking visitors.

The Bluebirds’ massive win wasn’t without scares, especially when Pierce Sweeney reduced the arrears after Quigley’s 13th of the season.

But Barrow refused to buckle again and are now up to 20th, nine points of second bottom, Southend United.

Brough is now Barrow’s second leading scorer with six and the pair’s latest efforts could be their most crucial.

The sides hadn’t met in the Football League since the infamous day in April 1972 when Exeter recorded a 7-1 victory in Devon.

It was five years previous when Barrow recorded their last win over the Grecians, a 2-1 success at St James Park.

Exeter arrived buoyed by a 4-1 win over previous leaders Cambridge United last Saturday and grateful there was no late weather intervention.

The fixture should have taken place on February 9 but was postponed an hour before kick-off due to a frozen pitch leaving the Grecians with a wasted 660 miles round trip.

Bright sunshine greeted the teams with a minute’s silence in memory of Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, preceding this re-arranged fixture.

Manager Kelly welcomed back Tom Davies for the first time since last month’s home defeat by Grimsby.

City settled early forcing two quick corners and Archie Collins trying his luck from outside the area.

Barrow were even less creative, relying on the long ball upto Quigley and James or the long throws of Bobby Thomas.

As one press box observer noted: ‘The ball has been out of play as much as it has been in play.’

Phil Brown, recently appointed as Southend United boss for a second time, watched on in the Brian Arrowsmith Stand

Joel Dixon was the first keeper forced into action, saving low down at his near post from Matt Jay.

Then came Brough’s breakthrough set in motion by Quigley coming back into his own half to make the pass.

Brough hared down the left, played the ball into Luke James and as James picked himself up after a failed penalty appeal, the loose ball broke to the scorer.

Collins went close to a headed equaliser at the start of the second half.Three substitutions in four minutes and a change of formation saw Exeter come more into the game though Dixon remained largely redundant.

Exeter huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but it was Barrow who struck next late on.

Quigley found himself in space at the far post and somehow squeezed a low shot past Jokull Andresson at the keeper’s near post.

The celebrations were short lived as Exeter-now down to eighth-finally made their pressure tell with Sweeney scrambling the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

But it was too little for late much to AFC’s relief.