BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Barnsley marched into the play-off positions with a sixth straight victory at Oldham. 

A huge Barnsley following were on hand to give the Reds a fantastic reception.

The Reds started off with a few nervy moments as Oldham looked to press hard in the early stages but the Latics could not get any telling shots on target.

Barnsley's first freekick came on 7 minutes after Scowen had initiated a break feeding O'Sullivan who was steaming down the pitch until Adam Lockwood halted his advances. Hourihane took the set piece but Oldham were able to comfortably deal with any danger.

John O'Sullivan was proving to be a handful down the right hand side and won a second freekick for Hourihane to hit into the box with Kusunga heading out for a Barnsley corner. From that Cranie leaped highest but headed over.

A 20th minute freekick for Oldham close to the corner flag brought Adam Davies into action as his pushed the set piece delivery out of the path of the Oldham attack to clear the danger.

On 32 minutes the Reds took the lead. Josh Scowen won the freekick 40 yards out for Conor Hourihane to take. Mason Holgate got an initial shot in which rebound off the keeper and fell perfectly for Lewin Nyatanga to score his fourth goal of the season.

A couple of minutes later Barnsley had another freekick just 22 yards out. Hourihane's strike fizzed just wide.

Barnsley's second goal came off the back of Conor Hourihane. Waring had initially won a corner after his header was deflected out. From the corner with Barnsley trying to score and Oldham trying to clear it was the unfortunate Carl Winchester who tried to clear the ball but it hit the back of Hourihane and into the net.

Oldham soon after reduced the deficit when Mike Jones took his chance well to beat Adam Davies for the first time in six games.

At the very end of the half Conor Hourihane nearly made it three when his thunderbolt strike from 30 yards out grazed the crossbar. 

Jonathan Forte used his strength to get past Mason Holgate and eventually win a corner. Oldham's scorer Mike Jones took the corner which found Forte who headed it over the goals.

Carl Winchester tried to put in a ball in over the defence for Forte to latch on to but fortunately Adam Davies was quick off his line to intercept. 

 On the hour Lee Johnson introduced Sam Winnall into the game at the expense of Lalkovic.

Barnsley were having to defend much of the opening 20 minutes of the second half as Oldham were intent on finding an equaliser.

On 65 minutes Barnsley survived a real goal mouth scramble with players on both side desperately trying to get the defining touch. Eventually Barnsley were able to calm things down as the ball went out for a goal kick.

Barnsley were two in front again on 70 minutes through Lewin Nyatanga as a scramble in the Oldham area led to the defender claiming his fifth goal of the season. 

James Bailey came on for Ben Pearson on the 80th minute, with the Manchester United loanee on a booking.

The pace had been taken out of the game after Barnsley's third goal as the Reds looked to control proceedings. 

With four minutes to go Lee Johnson made his final substitution bringing on Jabo Ibehre for George Waring.

In the dying minutes Forte won a corner after a quick turn and shot which Davies saved well. From the corner Adam Davies made a fabulous finger tip save to deny the Latics a second goal.

Adam Lockwood received his marching orders in injury time for a second yellow card.

Oldham could not find a response as the Reds enjoyed a 3-1 win at Oldham.