The Reds were beaten at Derby County to bring our 22/23 Emirates FA Cup campaign to an end.
A James Collins penalty just before the break along with a Tom Barkhuizen goal on the hour mark created an uphill task for Michael Duff's side, before a Jason Knight goal in the 80th minute sealed the Rams' place in the fourth round.
The Reds had actually started brightly, dominating the opening 20 minutes or so. They got in behind the hosts inside the opening minute, with a Tom Edwards switch ball finding Nicky Cadden on the left. A nice flick down the line found the onrushing Liam Kitching who had the chance to cross - but Eiran Cashin stopped that with a vital interception to prevent Devante Cole firing on goal.
It was a strong start for the Reds, who almost took the lead in the fourth minute. A corner by Luca Connell found Edwards - who rose highest - crashing a powerful header towards the far corner which required a smart stop from Joe Wildsmith in the Rams' goal. The rebound almost fell for Kitching, who if he had connected with the ball was all but sure to give Barnsley the lead.
Matty Wolfe was on the end of a late challenge by Louis Sibley in the middle of the park which provided opportunity for Herbie Kane to cross into the middle on seven minutes. The Bristol-born midfielder swung in a dangerous cross which found James Norwood in space in the middle. His header however lacked the power to trouble the former Reds loanee 'keeper Wildsmith.
The right foot of Cadden saw the Reds nearly take the lead once again in a game they were well on top in, with the Scot cutting in from the left and curling an effort narrowly wide of the goal in the ninth minute.
The hosts grew into the affair, and on 24 minutes almost found an opener to go with it. Tom Barkhuizen delivered a pinpoint cross to Lewis Dobbin who was waiting at the back post. A combination of the woodwork and Jack Walton seemed to prevent the Rams opening the scoring.
There was a long stoppage in play after Edwards went down clutching his knee after blocking a cross on the left. From the resulting corner, the Rams had a penalty. Somewhere in the crowd inside the area, Wolfe was adjudged to have handled the ball. Josh Benson came on to replace the injured Edwards before James Collins stepped up and rolled home past Jack Walton to give the hosts the lead on the cusp of half-time.
HALF TIME: Derby County 1-0 Barnsley
The Reds looked dangerous in the opening exchanges of the second half, enjoying more of the ball higher up the pitch courtesy of Cadden and Benson. However, the hosts kept reminding the Barnsley backline of their presence, threatening via the flanks.
This threat became very evident on 60 minutes, as Barkhuizen doubled Derby's lead. Barnsley failed to clear their lines, the ball broke to the attacker in the area and he made no mistake, rifling one into the roof of the goal.
The Rams controlled proceedings after their second of the afternoon, the Reds struggling to find any rhythm out on the Pride Park pitch.
Jason Knight added insult to injury with ten minutes to play, rolling home into an empty net. A defensive mishap at the back allowed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to first fire at goal, Walton saving well, but the ball eventually broke for Knight who put the game out of sight for Michael Duff's men.
FULL TIME: Derby County 3-0 Barnsley
Reds XI: Walton, Williams, Edwards (J Benson), Cundy, Kitching, Cadden, Wolfe (Phillips), Connell (Martin), Kane, Norwood (Aitchison), Cole.
Unused subs: Collins (GK), Moon, Ackroyd, Larkeche, Lancaster.
