Neal Ardley admitted his bravery paid off as he hailed his Notts County side for inflicting Barrow’s first home defeat in the league since September.
The Magpies secured a 2-0 win at the National League leaders where Barrow’s John Rooney hit the post with a penalty and a free-kick in the opening 45 minutes.
But striker Scott Quigley was sent off after half-time for a poor challenge on goalkeeper Joe McDonnell and Ardley’s side took full advantage.
They opened the scoring through Tom Crawford’s header and Callum Roberts then produced a peach of a finish to put Notts in dreamland.
And boss Ardley said it justified his decision to drop top scorer Kyle Wootton and winger Enzio Boldewijn as he switched to a three-man defence.
“We were brave enough to change the shape,” he said.
“With the midweek game at Fylde, we only had one day to put it into practise.
“But credit to the players.
“The conditions in the first half were brutal, but we stood up to that has probably won us the game.
“It was brave because if you lose, people say why have you left him and him out.
“But we have to look ahead. We thought it was the right way to tackle the game.”
