Wonderful strikes from Alex Mowatt and Victor Adeboyejo overturned Sean Maguire’s header as Barnsley continued their recent good form by triumphing over Preston North End at Oakwell.
Whether Maguire’s second-minute header from Paul Gallagher’s corner had indeed crossed the line required confirmation from the linesman, but the goal was awarded after a brief period of confusion.
Reds skipper Mowatt then produced a moment of magic early in the second half to level proceedings, before substitute Adeboyejo’s curling finish ten minutes from time ensured the hosts would take all three points.
Just as at Hillsborough on Saturday, Valérien Ismaël’s charges showed spirit and resolve to react well to falling behind early on, but they were unable to come up with an equaliser in the first period.
Much of Barnsley’s attack was routed through Conor Chaplin, and their best chance came when he played in Callum Styles with a pass over the top, but the youngster couldn’t keep his close-range finish down.
Preston fought their way back into the game at the end of the first half, and Emil Riis Jakobsen was denied from doubling the advantage by a brilliant Jack Walton save.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-1 Preston
The deserved leveller the Reds had been chasing finally arrived nine minutes after the break, when after a one-two with Styles, Mowatt set himself 20-yards from goal, and bent a magnificent strike into the far corner.
The Lilywhites almost retook the lead immediately afterwards, and it took more heroics from Walton to prevent that as he got a foot to Josh Earl’s low drive, before the Preston number three’s follow-up sailed over the crossbar.
A draw would not have been harsh on either team, but with the clock entering the final ten minutes, Adeboyejo came up with the goods to net the winner for the Reds.
Cauley Woodrow drove into the box and found the 22-year-old lurking in space with an inch-perfect pass, who curled a shot across Declan Rudd and inside the far post.
Another excellent turnaround victory for Barnsley means they continue their march up the Championship table and now sit ninth, just four points outside the playoff spots ahead of Saturday’s trip to fourth-placed Swansea City.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-1 Preston
Walton, Styles, Andersen, Brittain, Woodrow, Chaplin (Thomas), Sollbauer, Mowatt (c), Frieser (Adeboyejo), Helik, James (Kane).
Unused: Collins, Moon, Oduor, Palmer, Miller, Schmidt.
