BARNSLEY suffered a disappointing defeat against bottom club Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium.
The Tykes, who were way off their best for the full game, went down to a first-half goal from Kieran Phillips that earned Morecambe only their second League One win of the season.
Huddersfield loan recruit Phillips scored from close-range six minutes before the break after the visitors had failed to clear their lines following a Ryan Cooney long throw-in.
It proved to be the decisive moment of the game as the Tykes frustratingly failed to find the back of the net.
But it was Michael Duff's side who were the better starters and who could have taken the lead after just three minutes.
However, Josh Benson headed straight at Morecambe keeper Connor Ripley when he might have done better.
Duff handed midfielder Adam Phillips and Norwich loan forward Josh Martin welcome starts, while Nicky Cadden moved wide as the Tykes looked to spring a victory on their travels.
And it was Cadden who served up a decent early effort, one well-saved by the legs of keeper Connor Ripley.
Tom Edwards then forced a fine defensive block from Liam Shaw as the South Yorkshire visitors pushed hard for a breakthrough.
Cole Stockton tried his luck from distances for the Shrimpers, but his powerful effort flew well over.
But it was a warning for the Tykes as the home side grew into the fixture.
Josh Martin dragged a shot wide as Duff's men countered, but it was the home team who took the lead.
As the half came to a close defender Ryan Cooney produced a vital far post clearance to deny Cadden a far post tap-in.
But Phillips pounced at the back post just before the break to tap-in a long thrown-in into the box.
The Tykes stepped things up after the break with Benson drilled a long range shot inches wide and he also forced a flying save from Ripley with a shot from distance which looked set for the top corner.
Jack Aitchison was unfortunate to see a late shot hit his own player in the area, but the Shrimps defence held firm to keep only their second clean sheet of the season and take a vital three points to move off the bottom of the table.
Defeat for the Tykes was understandably hard to swallow having impressed in September with a string of victories.
But a first away league loss since a 2-1 defeat to Derby back on 13th August leaves Duff's side ninth in the table and three points adrift of the play-offs.
