Goals from Ben Cabango and Jamal Lowe either side of the break condemned Barnsley to a 2-0 defeat against Swansea City on Saturday evening.
The Reds were perhaps the better side over the course of the game, but were unable to make their chances count on a frustrating night at Oakwell.
Barnsley looked livelier in the opening exchanges and had a decent opportunity to take the lead when Victor Adeboyejo latched onto a bouncing ball before blazing over from 20-yards.
Our powerful striker was at it again moments later as he muscled beyond a Swans defender and forced Freddie Woodman into a fine save at his near post.
From the resulting corner, the visitors only half-cleared the danger and Conor Chaplin saw his fierce goal bound effort blocked.
The Reds continued to exert their dominance on the game and Callum Styles was next to try his luck when he took aim from the edge of the box, but his low shot was gathered comfortably gathered by Woodman.
However, despite all of that pressure, Swansea were ahead against the run of play on the stroke of half-time as Cabango rose highest to flick Connor Roberts’ long throw into the far top corner.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-1 Swansea City
That goal gave City the impetus and Roberts came close to adding a second six minutes after the interval when he unleashed a splendid volley that whistled past Jack Walton’s upright.
But the visitors soon doubled their lead when Jamal Lowe capitalised on a defensive mix-up to race clear and slot beyond the onrushing Walton.
The Reds searched for a way back into the contest and, following neat play from Styles and Alex Mowatt, substitute Romal Palmer saw his blistering strike blocked midway through the half.
Callum Brittain was next to try his luck from distance with a spectacular drive from 30-yards that Woodman somehow clawed out of the top corner to keep Barnsley at bay.
Swansea still posed a threat and the ever-dangerous Roberts tested Walton from a free-kick, but the Reds’ ‘keeper was able to tip it behind for a corner.
A late rally from Valérien Ismaël yielded no reward, with the visitors throwing bodies in front of every attempt as the Reds drop to 10th in the Sky Bet Championship table.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 0-2 Swansea City
REDS XI: Walton (GK), Sollbauer (Sibbick, 84), Helik, Andersen, Brittain, Kane (Palmer, 62), Mowatt (c), Styles, Adeboyejo (Thomas, 84), Woodrow, Chaplin (Morris, 62).
Not used: Collins (GK), Moon, Oduor, Frieser, Schmidt.
SWANS XI: Woodman (GK), Guehi, Fulton, Smith, Grimes (c), Lowe, Ayew, Roberts, Bidwell, Naughton, Cabango.
Not used: Hamer (GK), Manning, Routledge, Cullen, Dhanda, Latibeaudiere, Byers, Cooper, Garrick.
