Blackpool 0
Reds 1 (Hourihane 8)
Barnsley simply need to make their possession tell as a completely dominant first-half display sees them only a single goal ahead in Blackpool.
With one change to the side that beat Swindon 4-1, Sam Winnall came in for Ryan Williams with Michael Smith back on the bench at the expense of Conor Wilkinson.
The first sight of goal the Reds saw was on seven minutes as a Conor Hourihane free-kick dropped Josh Scowen's way 15 yards out, although the midfielder's shot was blocked before it could trouble Doyle.
Barely a minute later the Reds did find the net through Hourihane himself. Marley Watkins again proved why he will certainly prove to be one of the best pieces of business in League One this summer, as he tricked his way into the box. His delivery then dropped for Hourihane seven yards out and he swept into the far corner.
The home side did respond through Cameron at the far post but he hammered wide after McAlister had delivered a decent ball in.
As well as being a goal down, the home side were walking a tight-rope at the back as both centre-halves went into the book early on.
Potts tried his luck from 20 yards although his effort lacked any sort of power on 24 minutes with Townsend easily dealing with the strike.
Barnsley were enjoying the lion's share of possession but needed to make it tell. Sam Winnall then tried his luck on 34 minutes from 20 yards but Doyle only had to simply catch the ball.
Half time
Teams
Blackpool: Doyle, Boyce, Aldred, Jones, Ferguson, Cubero, Herron, Potts, McAlister, Cameron, Cullen.
Subs: Letheren, Robertson, Norris, Osayi-Samuel, Redshaw, Paterson, Thomas.
Reds: Townsend, G. Smith, Wabara, Nyatanga, Mawson, Pearson, Scowen, Watkins, Hourihane, Harris, Winnall.
Subs: Davies, Roberts, Bree, Jackson, M.Smith, Rothwell, R.Williams.
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh
