Barnsley get back to back wins against bottom side

Barnsley secured back to back wins for the first time under Neill Collins with a 2-0 victory at League One bottom club Cheltenham Town.

After an average first half, the Reds upped their tempo after the break and took the lead through Devante Cole’s sixth goal in as many games this season then substitute Max Watters got his first of the campaign.

The only change from last week’s win at Wigan saw John McAtee come in for his full debut in place of the benched Watters.

New signing Jamie McCart was on the bench along with youngster Theo Chapman. Loaned-out Andy Dallas, Corey O’Keeffe and Callum Styles dropped off the bench.

Barnsley had their first shot after eight seconds when McAtee fired over from the right of the box after Barry Cotter flicked on a long Jack Shepherd ball.

After an excellent run out of defence, Jordan Williams played a long pass which the goalkeeper came out to meet but gifted it to Herbie Kane who shot just over the empty net from 35 yards.

Cheltenham had the first shot on target when Rob Street was played through on the right of the box and saw his shot from a tight angle pushed round the near post by Roberts.

Jon Russell headed a Kane corner just over then, at the other end, Lewis Freestone’s header from a long throw was brilliantly clawed out by Roberts.

Roberts then made another good save diving to his right to deny Will Goodwin’s header after a good Street cross from the right following Aidan Keena’s clever flick. Goodwin had another headed chance minutes later but nodded over.

Barry Cotter found himself on the right of the box after a one, two with Phillips but shot over from a tight angle when Kane was in a good position for a pull-back.

Cheltenham then appealed for a penalty after Cotter appeared to push an attacker in the back when he was about to head a cross.

Cole had the ball in the back of the net after a fine move involving good passes by Williams and Phillips, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside. Collins said later he thought it was onside.

There was more controversy when, after a clever run and cross by McAtee, Jack Shepherd’s header hit the right post then bounced into the goalkeeper’s arms with claims the ball had crossed the line.

Barnsley started the second half well and scored from a fine counter-attack. After a corner was headed out, there were four attackers to one home defender with McAtee finding Cadden who set up Cole to beat the goalkeeper for his sixth goal of the season.

Cadden almost made it 2-0 soon after but his powerful volley from just outside the box struck the post.

Seconds later, Street went clean through on goal and shot from just inside the box but Roberts brilliantly stuck out a left hand to deny him.

Home centre-back Lewis Freestone should have levelled when picked out by a bobbling left-wing but hooked well wide.

The second goal arrived in injury-time with two substitute strikers combining. Watters put Aiden Marsh clean through on goal but, after the shot was saved, Watters found a good finish from a tight angle.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts; Williams, Lopata, Shepherd; Cotter (de Givegney 77), Phillips (Chapman 89), Russell, Kane, Cadden; Cole (Marsh 89), McAtee (Watters 73).

Unused: Killip, , McCart, Nejman, Chapman, Marsh, Watters.

Yellow cards: Kane, McAtee, Shepherd.

Goals: Cole 54, Watters 90+2.

Cheltenham (3-4-3): Southwood; Ferry, Long (J Williams 89mins), Davies (Bevan 65mins), Freestone, B Williams (Peupion 76); Sercombe, Bonds (Thompson 65), Keena, Street, Goodwin (Butter-Oyedeji 65).

Unused: Harry, J Williams,, Adshead, Peupion.