Barnsley earned three priceless points with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over fellow Sky Bet League One promotion rivals Derby County on Saturday afternoon.
Adam Phillips struck in either half to cancel out Sonny Bradley’s opener as the Reds closed the gap to the top two in front of a raucous Oakwell crowd on Scarf Day.
We started with real intent, counter-attacking down the right flank where Jordan Williams whipped a magnificent low cross into the six-yard box that narrowly evaded the stretching Devante Cole.
Just after quarter of an hour, the visitors had a decent opportunity of their own as Max Bird capitalised on a loose ball before teeing up Conor Hourihane, who saw his shot expertly blocked by Maël de Gevigney.
From the resulting corner, Eiran Cashin’s header was cleared off the line by Nicky Cadden, but Derby wouldn’t be denied a second time as Bradley nodded home through a crowd of bodies to break the deadlock.
It took a while for the Reds to respond, but respond we did in emphatic style when the ball fell to Phillips on the edge of the box and our midfielder took a touch before rifling an unstoppable half-volley into the top corner.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Derby County
In a cagey opening to the second half, there wasn’t a great deal between the two sides as the contest continued to break down in midfield.
The introduction of Sam Cosgrove just before the hour gave us a different dimension to our attack, offering a potential option of going more direct.
After some sustained pressure and two more superb Williams crosses into the box, the Reds won a corner and Cadden put it on a plate for Phillips to climb highest and plant a tremendous header high into the net.
Looking to salvage something from the encounter, Derby pressed forward in the closing stages and there was an audible groan from three sides of Oakwell as an additional nine minutes were indicated by the officials.
Liam Roberts, rarely troubled all afternoon, comfortably gathered a Nathaniel Méndez-Laing cross at his near post prior to falling on top of a bouncing loose ball as time ticked away.
A thunderous challenge from Luca Connell would prove to be the final action of a tense, battling display as the Reds gathered more momentum heading into the final furlong.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-1 Derby County
REDS XI: Roberts, Williams (C), de Gevigney, Pines, Earl, Cadden (O’Keeffe, 90+6), Connell, Kane, Phillips (Cotter, 87), McAtee (Cosgrove, 58), Cole (Grant, 90+6).
Not used: Killip (GK), McCart, Marsh.
DERBY XI: Wildsmith (GK), Wilson, Hourihane (C), Bradley, Cashin, Bird, Méndez-Laing, Sibley, Elder (Nyambe, 77), Adams (Smith, 89), Nelson.
Not used: Loach (GK), Barkhuizen, Thompson, Fornah, Gayle.
