Cauley Woodrow admits Barnsley are very disappointed to have conceded a late equaliser in a draw with Charlton Athletic but says the performance was a ‘massive improvement’ on the last two games.

The Reds had lost 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday then 3-0 at home to League Two Carlisle United in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. 

Woodrow opened the scoring in spectacular style then, after an away equaliser, Conor Chaplin put the hosts in front again before an 89th-minute penalty meant the game ended in a draw. 

Woodrow told the Chronicle: “It was a massive improvement from Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle. We were back to our old selves in terms of energy and the style of football we want to play. But, at the same time, we are really really disappointed to concede in the last few minutes and draw the game. 

“The manager made it clear before the game that he wanted us to be back to how we know we can play. We didn’t play the best we can play, but we were better.” 

Woodrow smashed a 20-yard volley into the top left corner for his first goal of the season. He said: “When I saw it hit the net, I was delighted. It was one of the best goals I have ever scored. Sometimes they are just instinctive, it comes to you quickly and you make a quick decision. A lot of the time it goes over the stand but thankfully today it went in the top corner.” 

Head coach Daniel Stendel said: “Cauley was so much better than the last two games. You can see he has the quality to help us in this league. He held so much more balls today which was important. We talked before the game about what I expected from him, and he did it.

“I think the team wanted to show we can play so much better than the last games, especially Tuesday. I told them to play with more passion, especially in the home game in front of our supporters. That was better today, I could see we were fighting, Sometimes we played well. We missed a bit of speed in offensive transition.

“I am disappointed to concede a penalty two minutes before the game is finished but, in the end, the result is OK. For us it was a good point today and now we’re looking forward to Tuesday in Birmingham.” 

Bambo Diaby conceded the penalty for a foul on Conor Gallagher. Stendel said: “From my position, I thought it was a penalty. We could have controlled the situation earlier. You can see that is the difference between League One and the Championship, the one time you sleep you concede a goal. Bambo is very disappointed but I told him it can happen and that, in my opinion, he was our best player today. It is a team game. He will go on.”

Chaplin netted Barnsley’s second goal on his full league debut. Stendel said: “I hope Conor can take this confidence for the next games. He came very late to our squad and he needed success in a game. It is a good start for him to score in a home game and I think he can help us a lot this season.”

Alex Mowatt missed the match due to a side injury but Stendel believes he could return at Birmingham City on Tuesday. The Reds boss said: “We hope he can play on Tuesday but it is not sure. We tried everything so that he can play but he couldn’t. The chance is 50/50 for the next game.”