Barnsley got back to winning ways and made it nine games unbeaten with a richly-deserved 3-1 victory against Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
Goals from James Norwood, Nicky Cadden and Devante Cole were enough for three points as the Reds climbed to fourth in the Sky Bet League One standings, leapfrogging Bolton Wanderers and Derby County.
We almost made the perfect start with less than two minutes on the clock as Adam Phillips found space in the area but was denied by a sprawling Matt Macey.
Shortly after, Cadden took aim and fizzed an early warning sign narrowly over the bar; a sign of things to come from our Scottish wing-back.
Eventually, Barnsley made the breakthrough, and it came as Phillips intercepted loose Sean Raggett pass before surging forward and sliding an inch perfect through ball into the path of Norwood, who confidently slotted into the bottom corner.
It was fitting that the goal should come as three sides of Oakwell held their phone lights aloft in support of Beth Sefton, which made the celebrations even more special.
Within a matter of moments, the Reds had a second when Cadden – fresh from his sighter – whipped a marvellous strike into the far corner from 20-yards.
We were in our flow, and Luca Connell was next to try his luck after pouncing on another stray pass but drilled agonisingly wide from the edge of the box.
Just before half-time, Barnsley had another opportunity for a third as Phillips tested Macey, but the Pompey stopper was equal to his low effort.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 2-0 Portsmouth
The visitors came out with renewed vigour after the break and halved the deficit within five minutes through Colby Bishop, who powered home Joe Rafferty’s cross with a thumping header.
After weathering a slight storm, the Reds regained their composure and re-established the hard-fought two-goal cushion when Cole stretched to meet Norwood’s cross and slam home into the roof of the net on the hour mark.
Portsmouth still carried a threat moving forward, and Harry Isted had to be at his best to smother Ryan Tunnicliffe’s fierce drive before an onrushing attacker could gobble up the rebound.
With the tie effectively over as a contest, Barnsley saw out the remaining time with minimal fuss and extreme professionalism to maintain their excellent form and keep the pressure on their fellow promotion rivals.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 3-1 Portsmouth
REDS XI: Isted (GK), Williams, B Thomas, Andersen (C), Kitching, Cadden (Larkeche, 81), Phillips (J Benson, 78), Connell, Kane (Thomas, 82), Norwood (Tedić, 70), Cole (Watters, 70).
Not used: Searle (GK), Russell.
POMPEY XI: Macey (GK), Ogilvie, Tunnicliffe (Thompson, 75), Bishop, Dale (Lane, 75), Morrell, Rafferty, Scarlett (Pigott, 75), Raggett (C), Lowery (Jacobs, 58), Towler.
Not used: Steward (GK), Hackett, Jacobs, Bernard.
