Barnsley ran out 2-1 winners over Derby County on Tuesday evening to end a run of seven straight defeats and give Joseph Laumann the perfect start to his spell as interim head coach.
Goals either side of the break from Victor Adeboyejo and Aaron Leya Iseka cancelled out Sam Baldock’s opener as the Reds picked up three crucial points at Oakwell.
We had the first chance of the game after a succession of corners resulting in Rams keeper Kelle Roos being forced into action, the Dutchman was needed again after a good cross from Callum Brittain on the right finding Leya Iseka but his volley from point blank range was straight at him.
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, Barnsley had a great chance to break the deadlock with a free-kick on the edge of the box, but Cauley Woodrow’s clever shot under the wall only resulted in a corner.
The visitors’ first real opportunity came halfway through the first 45 as Ravel Morrison’s swerving shot from 25 yards was tipped over the woodwork by Brad Collins.
Less than two minutes later, though, Derby had the ball in the back of the net when Baldock fired home from close range.
Just before the interval, Adeboyejo showed neat footwork on the far side of the area and weaved inside before seeing his low drive deflect in at the near post to give us a much-needed foothold in the encounter.
HALF-TIME: The Reds 1-1 Derby County
Derby had most of the ball in the opening exchanges of the second half however, it was the Reds who took the lead within five minutes of the restart. A quick free-kick from Brittain lobbed the Rams backline and Leya Iseka raced in behind to curl it into the far top corner for his third goal in as many matches.
We had a strong shout for a penalty shortly after when Callum Styles appeared to be tripped in the box by Nathan Byrne just before he could get a shot on goal. However, referee Kevin Friend waved the appeal away.
After the second goal, the visitors struggled to get back into the rhythm that they had in the first half and Barnsley were always on hand to be solid at the back.
However, the Rams were not out of the game and had a chance to equalise with 15 minutes left as substitute Festy Ebosele crossed from the left, picking out Tom Lawrence, but his header was tame and cleared at the second attempt.
As Derby continued to pile on the pressure in the closing stages, a late corner caused confusion as the visitors rattled the crossbar before Mads Andersen cleared the rebound off the line.
With the last kick of the game, Max Bird whipped in a free-kick but was cleared by Cauley Woodrow as we held on for a priceless victory.
FULL-TIME: The Reds 2-1 Derby County
REDS XI: Collins (GK), Styles, Andersen, Helik, Moon, Brittain, Gomes (Palmer), Benson, Styles (Williams), Adeboyejo (Cole), Leya Iseka, Woodrow.
Unused: Walton, Kitching, Oduor, Oularé