A DEVANTE Cole brace helped Barnsley to a third successive League One win against Burton Albion this afternoon.
Goals either side of the break from the league’s top goalscorer earned the Reds the three points.
Neill Collins’ side came into the game off the back of three successive victories - two in the league and one in the cup.
Burton started the match third bottom of League One without a win this season, whilst the Reds sat in ninth place.
Collins made just one change to the side that beat Cheltenham as loanee Jamie McCart replaced Jack Shepherd in the back three.
Ex-Red Jasper Moon started the game in defence for the Brewers.
Cadden, on his 50th league appearance for the Reds, started the game well, combining with McAtee to break down the left.
The Scot’s cross was just behind the Reds’ attackers, though.
The game was fairly quiet until the 21st minute.
McAtee controlled the ball brilliantly and then played through Devante Cole who needed to invitation to shoot from 25 yards out, curling the ball into the top corner.
It was Cole’s seventh of the season, and certainly his best.
The Reds remained on top and Burton didn’t register their first shoot on goal until the 39th minute - and they should have scored.
But Liam Roberts’ saved brilliantly from the Burton attacker to keep the score at 1-0, and that’s how it stayed heading into the half-time break.
Burton started the second half brightly, causing the Reds’ defence some real problems.
Barnsley came back into the game and in the 53rd minute were close to doubling their lead.
Cadden found space in the final third before laying it off to Kane who, after cutting inside, saw his effort blocked in the box.
There were some strong claims for a handball and a penalty, but referee Marc Edwards waved play-on.
Devante Cole added his second goal of the day in the 68th minute after some fantastic work down the right from Phillips and O’Keeffe.
It was a lot simpler this time for Barnsley’s number 44, but it was the same outcome as he finished from six yards out.
The Reds continued to attack as the game fizzled out, before the referee blew his final whistle with a final score of 2-0 to the Reds.
Barnsley have moved up into the play-off places with the win.
