The Super Reds secured back to back wins for the first time under Neill Collins with a 2-0 victory at League One bottom club Cheltenham Town.
After a fairly poor first half, the Reds upped their tempo after the break and took the lead through Devante Cole’s sixth goal in as many games this season then substitute Max Watters got his first of the campaign.
The only change from last week’s win at Wigan saw John McAtee come in for his full debut in place of the benched Watters.
New signing Jamie McCart was on the bench along with youngster Theo Chapman. Loaned-out Andy Dallas, Corey O’Keeffe and Callum Styles dropped off the bench.
Barnsley had their first shot after eight seconds when McAtee fired over from the right of the box after Barry Cotter flicked on a long ball from Jack Shepherd.
After an excellent run out of defence, Jordan Williams played a long pass which the goalkeeper came out to meet but gifted it to Herbie Kane who shot just over the empty net from 35 yards.
Cheltenham had the first shot on target when Rob Street was played through on the right of the box and saw his shot from a tight angle pushed round the near post by the excellent Roberts.
Jon Russell headed a Kane corner just over then, at the other end, Lewis Freestone’s header from a long throw was brilliantly saved by Roberts.
Roberts then made another good save diving to his right to deny Will Goodwin’s header.
Barry Cotter found himself on the right of the box after a one, two with Phillips but shot over from a tight angle when Kane was in a good position for a pull-back.
Cheltenham then appealed for a penalty after Cotter appeared to push an attacker in the back when he was about to head a cross.
Cole had the ball in the back of the net after a fine move involving good passes by Williams and Phillips, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside. Collins said later he thought it was onside and it looked onside to me from the replays I’ve seen.
There was more controversy when, after a clever run and cross by McAtee, Jack Shepherd’s header hit the right post then bounced into the goalkeeper’s arms with claims the ball had crossed the line. Upon seeing the replay from the side angle, it was clear the ball had crossed the line and Shepherd has been robbed of his first Barnsley goal.
Barnsley started the second half well and scored from a superb counter-attack. After a corner was headed out, there were four attackers to one home defender with McAtee finding Cadden who set up Cole to beat the goalkeeper with a beautiful low finish for his sixth goal of the season.
Cadden almost made it 2-0 soon after but his powerful volley from just outside the box struck the post.
Seconds later, Street went clean through on goal and shot from just inside the box but Roberts brilliantly stuck out a left hand to deny Cheltenham yet again.
Home centre-back Lewis Freestone should have levelled when picked out by a bobbling left-wing but hooked the ball well wide.
The second goal arrived in injury-time with the two lively substitute strikers combining. Watters put Aiden Marsh clean through on goal but, after the shot was saved, Watters found a good finish from a tight angle which will hopefully give him some confidence.
Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts; Williams, Lopata, Shepherd; Cotter (de Givegney 77), Phillips (Chapman 89), Russell, Kane, Cadden; Cole (Marsh 89), McAtee (Watters 73).
Unused: Killip, , McCart, Nejman, Chapman, Marsh, Watters.
Yellow cards: Kane, McAtee, Shepherd.
Goals: Cole 54, Watters 90+2.
Cheltenham (3-4-3): Southwood; Ferry, Long (J Williams 89mins), Davies (Bevan 65mins), Freestone, B Williams (Peupion 76); Sercombe, Bonds (Thompson 65), Keena, Street, Goodwin (Butter-Oyedeji 65).
Unused: Harry, J Williams,, Adshead, Peupion.
Three points for the Super Reds who can now enjoy a rest in terms of league action during the International break. Tuesday sees the Reds host Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy where no doubt some of the fringe players will get a run out.
COYR
