Manager Lee Johnson was heavily critical of Barrow's playing surface after Saturday's 2-1 victory but felt the game was a beneficial experience for his players.
Jonson Clarke-Harris put Latics ahead before Paddy Lacey saw red for a dangerous lung on Liam Kelly. Jordan Bove extended Latics' lead in the second half with a stunning strike but Barrow did pull a goal back through James Ellison.Speaking after the game, the manager felt the playing surface did not help his side's flow.
He said: "We could come here in the first round of the FA Cup and you have to learn how to win ugly so I think it was beneficial. The pitch was dangerous and we've come out with a few knocks which I'm not pleased about.
"Sometimes you've just got to play the conditions and that is what we did. I thought the game was worthwhile because we had this big week on the emphasis of team bonding and sometimes you've got to win dirty, horrible games and that's what it was.
"In League One you do get a big physical game around winter time but there were three or four I was impressed with. I thought Kelly was right back to himself and what's why we've just kept playing him. I thought Timothee Dieng was superb when he came into central midfield and he just controlled the game so there were some decent performances out there."
With pre-season usually referred to as a friendly fixture, the gaffer was critical of Barrow defender Lacey, who received a red card for a high tackle.
"It was a bad tackle. It was a cowards tackle and it was disappointing to see, especially on Liam Kelly who has just come back from a serious injury," the boss commented.
Johnson was impressed with his strikers on Saturday and believes they are reeping the benefits of advice given to them in training.
"We've been asking Clarke-Harris to peel off and he did that well for the goal so that was good," added the gaffer. "Young Jordan reacted well for his goal and what a great strike that was. I was disappointed with the goal we conceded but I was happy to just get in and out."
Watch the full interview on Latics Player.