One of the standout performances of the season as Michael Duff's men score four without reply at Whaddon Road.

Three outstanding first half goals and a fourth in the final quarter of proceedings saw Barnsley to another three points on their travels this afternoon at Cheltenham Town - recording their biggest win of the campaign.

Replicating a number of other recent starts, the Reds came flying out of the traps once more this afternoon. With just seven minutes elapsed, the breakthrough came. A peach of a ball on halfway from Herbie Kane picked out the advancing run of Jordan Williams down the right wing and after he picked out Adam Phillips on the edge of the Robins' box, the midfielder slid one into James Norwood, 10 yards out who calmly stroked home the opening goal. 

Continuing to press forward, winning the ball in midfield at will, the Reds forced a couple of successive corner kicks and when Luca Connell's inswinging delivery was only headed to the edge of the box the ball was met first time by Kane, on his weaker left foot to send a pearler into the top corner, giving Luke Southwood in the hosts' goal absolutely no chance.

There were claims for a penalty to Barnsley some 24 minutes into the contest as Norwood was challenged from behind in the six yard box. But the referee, Declan Bourne was having none of it. 

Our third strike of the encounter - and what a strike it was - came via a set play. After Ziyad Larkeche had tricked his way through, before being upended by Elliot Bonds, up stepped Phillips to bend the free-kick into the top left corner from 25 yards, with some power to send the sold out away fans at the other end of the stadium into raptures.

There could and probably should have been a fourth in that opening 45 minutes but after Norwood had cleverly flicked on Connell's first time cross from the left flank, Phillips skied a half-volley from around six yards out.

HALF-TIME: Cheltenham 0-3 Barnsley

The Robins upped their game somewhat at the start of the second period, but were restricted to long throws and the occasional set piece, which didn't overly concern the Reds' rearguard.

Substitute Slobodan Tedic was introduced around the hour-mark, with fellow forward Oli Shaw joining him soon after and Barnsley re-asserted their grip on a game that was only heading in one direction.

The impressive Larkeche picked Tedic out with a cute cross towards the penalty spot but the big Serb nodded the effort inches wide. 

With around 15 minutes still to play, Duff's side put the affair to bed. Some intricate work in midfield allowed Kane to chip a ball over the defence and with Shaw seeing Williams better-placed, he left it for Jordan to rifle into the net via the crossbar from an acute angle.

This allowed Duff the opportunity to hand more minutes to Barry Cotter, who launched a couple of missiles into the hosts' box, whilst there was a great reception from the away end as Luke Thomas returned following four months on the sidelines.

Connell forced Southwood into a save down to his right which Tedic couldn't quite force home as the ball spilled towards him.

And finally, at the opposite end, the home side found a shot on target as Ryan Broom, Cheltenham's star player on the day saw a deflected effort saved low to his left by Harry Isted, with Alfie May stabbing the ball wide on the rebound.

Five wins from six as the Reds march into next weekend's Oakwell clash with play-off chasing rivals Derby County.

FULL-TIME: Cheltenham 0-4 Barnsley

Isted, Williams (Cotter), B.Thomas, Andersen, Kitching, Larkeche, Phillips (L.Thomas), Connell, Kane, Cole (Tedic), Norwood (Shaw).

Unused: Searle, Russell, Martin.