Barnsley came from behind to beat Carlisle United in Sky Bet League One on a chilly Tuesday evening at Oakwell.
Herbie Kane’s late spot-kick was enough to complete a second half turnaround after Devante Cole’s stunning strike had cancelled out Luke Armstrong’s early opener for the U’s.
It was a lacklustre start from the Reds, who were fortunate not to fall behind in the first minute as Daniel Butterworth looked to capitalise on a defensive mishap before being denied by Liam Roberts.
Butterworth missed another glorious opportunity moments later – once more from calamitous play in our own final third – but could only skew his effort wide.
The Reds didn’t heed those warnings, though, and when Roberts’ misplaced pass fell at the feet of Armstrong, the visiting forward made no mistake as he fired in low off the post from distance.
That failed to stir us into life, and the Cumbrians almost doubled their advantage when the ever-dangerous Butterworth powered a header off the upright after being picked out by Jack Ellis.
Ventures into the Carlisle box were few and far between, but we came close from a corner when Maël de Gevigney flicked the ball on and it appeared for all the world as though Cole would apply the finishing touches, but Owen Moxon somehow hooked it clear.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-1 Carlisle United
Looking for fresh impetus, Neill Collins introduced both Nicky Cadden and Barry Cotter at the break as the Reds searched for a way back into the contest.
But Carlisle had other ideas and squandered a half-chance ten minutes after the interval when Armstrong’s lob from the edge of the box sailed over the bar.
It took a moment of magic for Barnsley to unlock a resolute visiting backline, and it came as Jordan Williams drove from deep and fizzed a ball into Cole, who controlled it magnificently before lashing an unerring left-footed strike into the far corner - his 16th of the campaign.
Encouraged by that equaliser, the Reds pushed for a winner and Kane took aim from distance but could only fire his attempt into the Ponty End.
We had lots of the ball without creating much of note as the minutes ticked on, but when Adam Phillips danced into the area following neat play on the right flank, combining with Williams and Cotter, he was brought down by a clumsy challenge and the referee awarded a penalty.
Up stepped Kane to rifle down the middle and snatch all three points to make it two victories at Oakwell in the space of four days and extend our unbeaten run to ten games.
It certainly wasn’t vintage or pretty, but the result sees us climb up to fifth in the Sky Bet League One table.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-1 Carlisle United
REDS XI: Roberts (GK), O’Keeffe (Cotter, 46), Williams (C), de Gevigney, Shepherd, Styles (Cosgrove, 77), Connell (Cadden, 46), Phillips, Kane (Russell, 90+1), McAtee, Cole.
Not used: Killip, Lopata, Russell, Watters.
CARLISLE XI: Lewis (GK), Armer, Moxon, Lavelle, Huntington (C), McCalmont, Butterworth (Gibson, 77), Ellis (Back, 81), Mellish, Neal, Armstrong.
Not used: Breeze (GK), Garner, Charters, Maguire, Grehan.
