Barnsley picked up three crucial points with a hard fought 3-1 victory over Hull City.
Goals from Alex Mowatt, Mike Bähre and Conor Chaplin ensured Gerhard Struber picked up his first win as Reds Head Coach on his Oakwell debut as his side closed the gap at the foot of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Keane Lewis-Potter’s late header made for a nervy finish in South Yorkshire, but the win was sealed as Chaplin crashed home in stoppage time.
In a cagey opening few minutes, both sides had chances with Cauley Woodrow firing over and George Honeyman forcing Samuel Radlinger into a fine save at his near post.
The Reds were dominating possession but not particularly creating many opportunities, but midway through the half, Mowatt took aim from distance and curled a beautiful strike into the top corner.
Four minutes before the interval, Hull had a great chance to level as Jarrod Bowen raced clear but he uncharacteristically scuffed his effort wide of the far post.
HALF TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Hull City
Barnsley continued to create chances after the break and thought they had doubled their lead when Chaplin bundled home from Mowatt’s cross, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Hull, however, still looked dangerous on the counter and broke at pace once more but Bowen again was unable to take advantage as he dragged his shot past the upright.
The Reds enjoyed a sustained period of possession, coming close through first Jacob Brown and then Aapo Halme before doubling their lead.
Mowatt played a fine pass into the feet of Brown, who casually stepped over the ball as it ran into the path of Bähre to slot in past George Long.
Just six minutes later, though, the Tiger were back in with a shout as Lewis-Potter rose highest at the far post to head in and set up a tense finale.
It was one-way traffic, with the nerves clearly showing both on and off the pitch at Oakwell, but there was still time for one last Barnsley attack.
Substitute Luke Thomas burst clear and fed Brown, who flicked the ball up for Chaplin to rifle an unstoppable strike into the far corner to lift the roof off Oakwell and seal a priceless victory.
FULL TIME: Barnsley 3-1 Hull City
REDS XI: Radlinger, J Williams, Diaby, Andersen, B Williams, Halme, Bähre (Thomas, 82), Mowatt, Woodrow (Schmidt, 89), Brown, Chaplin.
Not used: Collins, Sibbick, Dougall, Oduor, Thiam
HULL XI: Long, Lichaj, De Wijs, Burke, Batty (Eaves, 46), Grosicki, Honeyman (Lopes, 46), Bowler, Bown, Elder (Lewis-Potter, 76), Irvine.
Not used: Ingram, Tafazolli, Kingsley, Pennington.
