Neill Collins says his Barnsley players ‘won’t get carried away’ despite a 2-1 home win over second-placed Derby which cut the gap between the two sides to three points.
The fourth-placed Reds fell behind but Adam Phillips bagged a brace.
Collins told the Chronicle: “The players were happy but no one is getting carried away. They have been extremely professional and consistent over the season.
“Because of the day as as whole, everything with Weston Park, the big crowd, and playing a big club, and we’re at in the league, there were nice scenes at the end.
“We’ll enjoy it like any other win and we will go again.
“We know promotion races go over a long period and we need to keep that level. But it was great for the 18,000 fans here.”
Collins had denied the game was a must win in the build-up.
“Everyone kept telling me it’s a must win. As a manager with 13 games to go, you can lose and play fantastic. I can’t have the players on a high if we win and so down if they lose.
“Thankfully we performed well and won. We will have lots of must wins I am sure before the end of the season. But it was nice to get a little bit closer to the teams above.”
Phillips scored both goals, continuing a fine run of form after a tough start to the season.
Collins said: “I couldn’t tell you the exact turning point but I think maybe the goal here against Charlton. Ever since then he’s gone from strength to strength. He’s a major leader in the team with his performances on both sides of the ball. He’s winning duels, he’s winning tackles. He’s been excellent.”
Phillips added: “I am very happy. It’s another good three points. We had to come from behind again. But it shows the team’s resilience we’ve shown all season.
“I am just delighted for the team. But I am going through a good run of form which I am happy about. It’s a crucial time of the season.”
Phillips volleyed in a stunning leveller. He said: "It’s up there with my best goals. I didn’t make the box this time. I held my run. I knew the defender would head it. It fell nicely, I got my touch right and soon as I hit it I knew it had chance of going in. I was just delighted to get us back in the game.”
Phillips headed in a Nicky Cadden corner for winner. He said: “I have always been quite good in the air. I have got a good leap. I think that’s why I had to come off. I was struggling with cramp because I was doing a lot of jumping. I fancy myself in the box sometimes.
“We’ve worked on it in training. Cads put it in a good area and I managed to get a little flick on it.”
Barnsley’s habit of falling behind in the opening 20 minutes continued but they came from behind to win for the fifth time this season.
Collins said: “Today’s early goal wasn’t similar to the other goals. We started well but lost a goal from a set piece. Derby are excellent at attacking set pieces. It says a lot about the group that we kept calm heads, continued to play and do the right things, got back in the game with a fantastic goal and had a good spell until the next one.”
