Barnsley saw off League Two Barrow AFC 5-4 after extra-time in an extraordinary FA Cup third round match to earn Poya Asbaghi his first win as head coach.
Mads Andersen opened the scoring midway through the first half then Barrow had a man sent off and Jordan Williams made it 2-0 before the break.
But Barrow came back to 2-2 and there were five goals between the 78th and 89th minute as Devante Cole and Carlton Morris put the hosts 3-2 and 4-3 ahead before equalisers, including a long-range strike by ex-Red Josh Kay to make it 4-4.
Substitute Morris netted again in extra-time to send the Reds into the fourth round.
The Reds allowed a game against League Two side, with ten men for 82 minutes, to turn what should have been simple win into a real scrap, losing the lead three time due to some abysmal defending.
Head coach Asbaghi – who had Martin Devaney alongside him in the dugout with the first team coaches isolating – made six changes from the last league game at Blackburn.
Michal Helik had not recovered from the injury he picked up at Blackburn while Clarke Oduor, Aaron Leya Iseka, Josh Benson and Claudio Gomes were also out as Covid-19 and injuries hit the squad this week.
Remy Vita made his debut while Jack Walton, Jordan Williams, Jasper Moon, Victor Adeboyejo and Devante Cole also came back in. Youth team players Jason Sraha, 19, Danny Benson, 18, Joe Ackroyd, 19, and David Bremang, 20, were on the bench. The Reds only used seven of nine possible substitutes.
Barnsley played 4-2-3-1 with Vita on the right wing, despite being a left-back, and right-back Callum Brittain on the left of the attack, while Adeboyejo was just behind lone striker Cole.
Brittain had the first shot in the third minute when he cut in from the left wing and let fly from 25 yards but the goalkeeper Paul Farman tipped it over.
The game settled down after that but Barnsley took the lead in the 23rd minute when Callum Styles' left-wing free-kick was headed by Andersen from the right of the six-yard box into the top left corner. It was his first goal of the season and the Reds' first from a set piece.
Barrow had their first chance five minutes later when a cross from the right was deflected perfectly for Anthony Glennon whose 15-yard effort was dragged wide of the bottom right corner.
The visitors thought they should have had a penalty for a trip by Moon on Tom Beadling but the referee did not give it. About a minute later, Beadling launched into a high tackle on Romal Palmer which brought a straight red card.
Two minutes later, a cross from the left was half-cleared by Barrow and allowed to drop in the area with Williams taking a touch then lobbing the goalkeeper from the right of the six-yard box.
Brittain then fired over from just inside the box on the left but Barnsley walked off two goals and one man up.
Vita could have made it 3-0 early in the second half when he could not get on the end of Liam Kitching's cross then was put clean through by goalkeeper Walton but miscontrolled.
Instead it was 2-1 just after the hour-mark. Jasper Moon lost the ball deep in his half and had to commit a foul, with the resulting 30-yard free-kick being smashed into the top right corner by Ollie Banks, the son of Barnsley legend Ian.
Moon was soon taken off for Will Hondermarck, with Kitching moving to centre-back and Britain left-back, while Carlton Morris replaced Adeboyejo.
The equaliser came in the 78th minute when, after Kitching lost the ball, Barrow had three on two in attack and worked in to Glennon who fired in from close range.
Kitching almost made amends but headed over from a corner. Cole put the hosts in front on 82 minutes with a magnificent 25 yard strike into the top right corner.
Vita should have made it 4-2 as he was through on the right of the box but fired wide and, minutes later, James Jones was unmarked to head home Hutton's right-wing cross from five yards out with Walton getting a slight touch.
Morris made it 4-3 with a 15-yard shot into the bottom right corner after collecting a pass from the right.
But there was still time for former Barnsley player Josh Kay to fire into the bottom right corner from 25 yards in the 89th minute, after Kitching appeared to miscontrol a long ball.
Barrow thought they should have had a penalty in injury-time for handball but it was not given.
In extra-time, Barnsley created plenty of chances against a very tired Barrow team.
Morris curled over from the left of the penalty area then the same player had an almost open goal after the goalkeeper missed the ball, but was well-tackled.
Styles then shot agonisingly wide of the bottom right corner from the left of the box.
Morris eventually netted in the 102nd minute, firing home from 15 yards after a Vita shot was blocked.
Vita should have made it 6-4 as he was played clean through by Styles after what looked a cynical foul on Cole but the goalkeeper made a fine save.
Asbaghi brought teenage midfielder Ackroyd on for his debut at half-time in extra-time.
Brittain blazed across the face of goal when through on the left in the 110th minute.

Barnsley (4-2-3-1): Walton, mark out of ten: 6; J Williams 7, Moon 5 (Hondermarck 65mins), Andersen 6, Kitching 4; Palmer 6 (Ackroyd 105mins), Styles 5; Vita 6, Adeboyejo 4 (Morris 65), Brittain 6; Cole 6. Unused: Collins, Sraha, D Benson, Bremang. Yellow cards: Styles, Moon, Morris. Goals: Andersen 23, J Williams 42, Cole 82, Morris 88, 102.

Barrow (4-5-1): Farman; Hutton, Platt, Jones, Brough,; Stevens (James 58mins), White (Devitt 88), Banks (Arthur 88), Beadling, Glennon (Brown 105); Sea (Kay 32). Unused: Lillis, Taylor, Ellis, Ntlhe. Yellow cards: Arthur, Banks, Devitt.

Red cards: Beadling.

Goals: Banks 61, Glennon 78, Jones 85, Kay 89.

Attendance: 4,755 (1,262 from Barrow)

Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).

AS IT HAPPENED
  • KICK OFF: Barnsley get us underway.
  • 3:04pm
    1 The Reds are playing a flat back four, with Williams and Kitching as full backs. Callum Brittain and Remy Vita are playing more advanced.
  • 3:06pm
    3 Great run and effort from Callum Brittain who evades the challenges of multiple Barrow defenders. His strike is fierce and it's tipped over for a corner. Styles to take.
  • 3:07pm
    4 The corner is cleared by Barrow and they now have the ball in their own half.
  • 3:07pm
    5 It's a strong challenge on Callum Styles from Ollie Banks. Neither side really on top here as of yet.
  • 3:09pm
    6 Free kick for the Reds just inside the Barrow half as a neat flick by Vita sees Cole turn, but he's hacked down and the referee blows for a foul.
  • 3:09pm
    7 It's a teasing ball from Brittain on the left but his cross isn't knocked home. Williams picks up the ball on the other flank but nothing comes of it.
  • 3:10pm
    8 Another fantastic piece of skill from Brittain sees him chop past a Barrow defender, but his outside-of-the-foot cross goes out for a goal kick. The Reds are starting to take control now.
  • 3:14pm
    11 The game has settled down in the past few minutes. Barnsley are having the majority of the ball but aren't creating any clear-cut chances.
  • 3:17pm
    15 First chance for Barrow as Brough finds himself behind Williams, but his cross eventually leads to nothing and is cleared by Jasper Moon.
  • 3:18pm
    15 Devante Cole pounces on a poor touch in midfield and races through on goal but his cross is high and wide.
  • 3:21pm
    18 The game has quietened down once again. Neither Barrow or the Reds are really putting the pressure on. Still 0-0.
  • 3:25pm
    22 The game is still really quiet with very few chances for either side. No-one yet to take a foothold of the tie.
  • 3:26pm
    GOAL!
    Mads Andersen
  • 3:26pm
    23 The Reds take the lead after Mads Andersen heads home a Callum Styles free-kick.
  • 3:28pm
    25 The Reds probably deserve to be in the lead on the balance of play. They've had the best chances and Andersen grabs his first goal of the season.
  • 3:30pm
    27 Vita whips in a good cross and finds Kitching at the back post, but his header across goal finds a Barrow defender who heads back to Farman.
  • 3:31pm
    28 Great chance for Barrow. The ball from Hutton finds Glennon at the back post. He shoots first time but it's dragged wide of Walton's goal.
  • 3:34pm
    YELLOW CARD
    31 Callum Styles is booked for a challenge in midfield. It looks like a harsh yellow and the Barnsley midfielder protests the decision.
  • 3:35pm
    SUB OFF
    Dimitri Sea
  • 3:35pm
    SUB ON
    Josh Kay
  • 3:35pm
    32 First sub of the game and it's ex-Red Josh Kay who comes on. It looks to be a tactical decision. Teams are allowed five subs in the cup.
  • 3:36pm
    33 It's a first corner for Barrow, Glennon to take.
  • 3:36pm
    34 The corner is whipped in and it goes over the top of everyone in the box and straight out for a goal kick.
  • 3:40pm
    37 Barrow are claiming a penalty but Moon looked to get their ahead of the away attacker - and the referee thought so, too.
  • 3:40pm
    RED CARD
    Tom Beadling
  • 3:41pm
    The Barrow man, who thought he should have had a penalty, is clearly frustrated and is sent off for a late challenge on Palmer.
  • 3:43pm
    41 The free kick following the red card comes to nothing but the Reds are looking. more in control now with just under five minutes to go until half time.
  • 3:45pm
    GOAL!
    Jordan Williams
  • 3:46pm
    43 Jordan Williams makes it 2-0 just before half time. A Brittain ball from the left is almost spectacularly smashed home by Vita, but he couldn't get any connection it. It falls to Williams whose first effort is poor but he reclaims the ball and lobs the Barrow keeper. 2-0.
  • 3:48pm
    ADDED TIME
    Three minutes have been added on.
  • 3:50pm
    45+2 The Reds are now in complete control of the game. Barrow rarely having a good spell of possession. Brittain has another chance to open his Barnsley account but he fires high and wide of Farman's goal.
  • 3:51pm
    HALF TIME: Barnsley 2 - 0 Barrow. A deserved lead for the Reds.
  • 4:09pm
    SECOND HALF: Barrow get the game back underway. There are no changes for either side at the break.
  • 4:10pm
    46 Josh Kay looked to have gone through on goal for the away side but he's flagged offside.
  • 4:12pm
    48 Liam Kitching breaks free down the left and his cross finds Remy Vita, but unfortunately one of the smallest players on the pitch can't find the back of the net.
  • 4:14pm
    50 It's a free kick for Barrow just inside the Reds half. Ollie Banks to take.
  • 4:15pm
    51 It's poor from the away side as Banks passes it straight to an offside player.
  • 4:18pm
    53 Nothing much to report on in the first few minutes. Kitching has just fired in from 25 yards but the referee blew the whistle five seconds earlier. Still 2-0.
  • 4:19pm
    55 Corner to the Reds after James Jones headed a Styles cross behind.
  • 4:20pm
    56 It's not a great routine from the Reds and Barrow look the break but Kitching does really well to knick the ball away.
  • 4:20pm
    56 Corner for Barrow, Vita blocks a menacing cross from the left.
  • 4:21pm
    57 It's another corner for the away side as Walton's unconvincing punch goes behind his own goal.
  • 4:22pm
    SUB OFF
    Jordan Stevens
  • 4:22pm
    SUB ON
    Luke James
  • 4:22pm
    59 It's a second change for the away side, Stevens has offered little since the red card and Luke James takes his place.
  • 4:23pm
    59 Remy Vita races through on goal after a Walton pass, but he can't control the ball and it ends ups in Farman's gloves.
  • 4:24pm
    YELLOW CARD
    60 Jasper Moon is booked for dragging down a Barrow forward. Free-kick for the away side around 30 yards out. Ollie Banks looks set to take it.
  • 4:25pm
    GOAL!
    Ollie Banks
  • 4:25pm
    61 It's an absolute rocket from Ollie Banks who smashes the free kick in from 30 yards. Nothing Walton could do about it.
  • 4:27pm
    63 Barrow are now constantly on the attack and they've got as spring in their step. But the Reds still have the extra man.
  • 4:28pm
    SUB OFF
    Jasper Moon
  • 4:28pm
    SUB ON
    Will Hondermarck
  • 4:29pm
    SUB OFF
    Victor Adeboyejo
  • 4:29pm
    SUB ON
    Carlton Morris
  • 4:29pm
    65 It's a double change for the Reds as two players with first-team experience enter the game.
  • 4:31pm
    67 Corner for the Reds. Callum Brittain to take.
  • 4:32pm
    YELLOW CARD
    Ollie Banks the captain is booked and there's an opportunity for Barnsley to whip the ball in from the free kick.
  • 4:34pm
    70 The Reds have a number of chances to shoot in the box, first Hondermarck and then Vita - but they don't and Barrow clear. It's set to be a nervy last 2o minutes for the Reds.
  • 4:37pm
    73 It's turned into a really scrappy game here at Oakwell. Neither side are creating any chances and are struggling to keep the ball,
  • 4:38pm
    74 Corner for the Reds after Williams' cross is blocked. There's a short stoppage in play as the Barrow keeper is down with an injury.
  • 4:43pm
    GOAL!
    Anthony Glennon
  • 4:43pm
    78 The Reds have let a two goal lead slip at home against ten-men Barrow. Glennon with the goal after Kitching lost the ball.
  • 4:45pm
    81 Corner for the Reds after Styles' shot is deflected wide. The home side have reacted well to the shock equaliser.
  • 4:45pm
    81 Kitching has a free header in the box and he heads wide.
  • 4:46pm
    GOAL!
    Devante Cole
  • 4:47pm
    82 Devante Cole with an absolute screamer. He bends the ball in to the top corner from 25 yards out. A huge let off for the Reds.
  • 4:49pm
    85 Remy Vita has a great chance after he's played through by Hondermarck but his effort is narrowly wide. He could have had a hat-trick.
  • 4:50pm
    GOAL!
    Ollie Banks
  • 4:51pm
    SUB OFF
    Tom White
  • 4:51pm
    SUB ON
    Jamie Devitt
  • 4:51pm
    SUB OFF
    Ollie Banks
  • 4:51pm
    SUB OFF
    Festus Arthur
  • 4:52pm
    GOAL!
    Carlton Morris
  • 4:53pm
    89 Carlton Morris fires the Reds ahead once again. Ollie Banks had levelled for the away side minute's earlier.
  • 4:54pm
    GOAL!
    Josh Kay
  • 4:54pm
    90 Ex-red Josh Kay levels in the last minute.
  • 4:55pm
    ADDED TIME
    Five minutes added on.
  • 4:55pm
    Walton is just off his line for the goal and Kay fires in from 25 yards out.
  • 4:58pm
    90+3 A coming together between Brittain and Hutton sees both players escape a yellow. One minute left.
  • 5:01pm
    FULL TIME: It's extra time for the Reds.
  • 5:05pm
    EXTRA TIME: Barrow get the game back on.
  • 5:07pm
    92 A good chance for Barrow as Devitt fires through the crowd but it goes narrowly wide.
  • 5:12pm
    96 Carlton Morris does a couple of step-overs and then fires high and wide.
  • 5:14pm
    99 Farman completely misses the ball and Carlton Morris has the ball on the edge of the box with no keeper but his effort is blocked.
  • 5:16pm
    101 Callum Styles' deflected effort goes agonisingly wide of the goal. Corner.
  • 5:17pm
    GOAL!
    Carlton Morris
  • 5:17pm
    102 Carlton Morris grabs his second of the game. 5-4.
  • 5:19pm
    104 A Jamie Devitt strike is just wide of Walton's goal. One minute left of the first half of extra time.
  • 5:21pm
    ADDED TIME
    One minute added on.
  • 5:22pm
    105+1 Vita has to finish the game but he takes it past Farman and he's tackled.
  • 5:22pm
    HALF TIME OF EXTRA TIME: Barnsley 5 4 Barrow.
  • 5:23pm
    SUB OFF
    Romal Palmer
  • 5:24pm
    SUB ON
    Joe Ackroyd
  • 5:24pm
    SUB OFF
    Anthony Glennon
  • 5:24pm
    SUB ON
    Connor Brown
  • 5:24pm
    106 The Reds get the last 15 minutes of play underway.
  • 5:27pm
    109 The Reds are still controlling the game but Barrow, as they have all game, look incredibly dangerous on the attack.
  • 5:29pm
    110 Joe Ackroyd looks to be tripped on the edge off the box but nothing given. It's a throw in for Barnsley.
  • 5:31pm
    112 Callum Brittain finds himself alone in the box but his effort goes out for a throw in.
  • 5:34pm
    YELLOW CARD
    Festus Arthur is booked for a late challenge on Kitching.
  • 5:35pm
    115 Five minutes to go here at Oakwell. There's been nine goals and a sending off - whatever happens the Reds won't be too happy with how it's unfolded.
  • 5:37pm
    117 Two minutes left, the Reds will be hopeful now of seeing this one out.
  • 5:38pm
    119 Josh Kay beats Jordan Williams but his cross is straight into Walton's gloves.
  • 5:39pm
    ADDED TIME
    One minute added time.
  • 5:41pm
    120 It's all kicked off here in added time. A few shocking challenges from Barrow players haven't gone down well. It's all happening in the dugouts too. Martin Devaney isn't very happy.
  • 5:41pm
    Free kick to the Reds.
  • 5:42pm
    FULL TIME: The Reds are through to the fourth round.

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