GOALKEEPER Brad Collins suffered a nasty head injury during Barnsley’s convincing 3-0 win at Cambridge United.
The 25-year-old shot stopper received a serious blow to the face after a collision with Sam Smith in the second half at the Abbey Stadium.
Tykes’ stopper Collins was eventually able to walk off with the help of his team mates and medical staff after receiving lengthy treatment from paramedics.
The ten-man Tykes picked up a precious three points despite a potentially nervy final 22 minutes after Liam Kitching saw red.
Devante Cole bagged his third goal of the season in the first half, but Barnsley upped the ante after going a man light.
Robbie Cundy’s first for the club and James Norwood’s second in as many away games secured their second successive away league win.
It was the first time the two sides had met in 30 years and it certainly lived up to the billing despite a lack of goals.
Boss Michael Duff made a solitary change from the side which conceded late on to draw with Port Vale on Tuesday night.
Stoke loanee Tom Edwards, a deadline day scoop, made his debut for the club as Conor McCarthy dropped to the bench.
Kiwi keeper Jamie Searle, another summer signing, was named on the bench, whilst Josh Benson overcame the reoccurrence of his hamstring niggle and returned to the match-day squad.
The hosts came closest to an early opener but the Tykes were let off as James Brophy hit the post from barely six yards out.
Barnsley broke the deadlock in the 24th minute as predatory Cole cooly slotted home after being unleashed by Liam Kitching.
The Us immediately pushed for an equaliser, but striker Smith struck straight at grateful Brad Collins.
Duff’s charges kept the hosts at arms length as the game slowly edged towards half time.
But Cambridge somehow fluffed their lines with the goal at their mercy on the stroke of half time.
The Tykes scrambled the ball clear after Shilow Tracey and Harvey Knibbs both had clear-cut chances from point-blank range.
United flew out of the blocks after the break with Mark Bonner’s words ringing in their ears.
Liam O’Neil forced Collins into a good stop as he tipped the midfielder’s long-range effort past the post.
Barnsley were under intense pressure from a string of Cambridge corners but breathed a sigh of relief as they went unscathed.
They were dealt a huge blow as Collins was stretchered off after extended treatment from paramedics as Searle made his debut for the club.
Kitching was sent off with just over 20 minutes to go for a second bookable offence after fouling Knibbs.
But any hopes of a late U’s revival were dashed when defender Cundy doubled the visitor’s tally with 14 minutes left.
Cundy struck against his former club as he headed Norwood’s cross home.
Smith hit the target down the other end, but the linesman’s flag was raised as hopes of a Cambridge comeback ebbed away.
Substitute Norwood added gloss with a well-taken finish in the second minute of 14 in added time.
