Cole hero as Reds get first comeback win in 766 days

Barnsley came from behind to win for the first time in more than two years as they triumphed 3-1 at lowly Reading.

The hosts took an early lead but Herbie Kane’s penalty drew the Reds level late in the first half then goals in the last ten minutes from Devante Cole and substitute Max Watters meant the Reds won from behind for the first time in 766 days since Derby at home in November 2021.

The Reds remain seventh, two points off the League One play-off places.

Neill Collins made three changes from the last league game. John McAtee missed out through injury while Callum Styles and Barry Cotter were benched. Corey O’Keeffe, Adam Phillips and Sam Cosgrove came into the 11.

The Reds got off to the worst possible start when, from a fourth-minute free-kick, Clinton Mola’s header across goal – having beaten Jamie McCart in the air – was nodded in a few yards out by the unmarked Harvey Knibbs.

Cosgrove and Phillips shot well over from half-chances for the Reds then Reading nearly made it 2-0 when Lewis Wing’s free-kick was headed by Tyler Bindon but Ben Killip sprang to his right to make a fine save.

Nicky Cadden had to come off injured after 21 minutes and was replaced by Styles who returned to his former position at left wing-back.

Cosgrove could have levelled but volleyed over from 12 yards after a Luca Connell corner was not cleared.

Barnsley levelled on 40 minutes when, after a corner was cleared, McCart’s cross was headed by a Reading defender onto the hand of Bindon and referee Ollie Yates gave a penalty. Herbie Kane smashed the spot-kick into the top left corner.

Devante Cole’s overhead kick from a Mael de Gevigney long throw then went well over the bar.

Reading had looked the more dangerous side overall in the first half but Barnsley had battled back well from a poor start.

Seconds into the second half, Knibbs dragged a shot wide of the b bottom left corner after Azeez easily beat Styles and crosses from the right.

Barnsley then came close at the other end as, after a fine Phillips pass, Kane crossed from the left of the box to Cosgrove who shot back across goal to Kane who beat a defender but could not force the ball in from a tight angle.

Azeez then beat McCart on the right of the box but his shot was kept out by Killip.

Phillips brilliantly beat a player on the edge of the box but shot just wide of the bottom left corner from 15 yards.

Cosgrove saw a 15-yard shot saved after a good pass by Phillips, following a move started by Styles winning a tackle.

Sam Smith glanced a header wide from an Azeez cross.

Cole smashed in a superb 22-yard strike in the 81st minute after a Connell long ball was headed out to him, for his 12th of the season.

The third goal saw substitute Fabio Jalo beat a man on the right and fired in a low cross which Watters converted from close range.

Killip saved two long-range shots in injury-time but the visitors saw out the win.

Reading (4-3-3): Button; Yiadom, Bindon, Abbey, Mola (Mbengue 77mins); Knibbs, Wing (Savage 85), Craig (Elliott 85); Mukairu (Vickers 59), Smith, Azeez (Ehibhatiomhan 86).

Unused: Pereira, Holmes. Yellow cards: Craig, Smith. Goals: Knibbs 4.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Killip, mark out of ten: 7; Williams 7, De Gevigney 7, McCart 6; O’Keeffe 7 (Cotter 82), Kane 7, Connell 7, Phillips 7, Cadden 6 (Styles 21); Cole 7 (Watters 82), Cosgrove 5 (Jalo 64). Unused: Cooper, Lopata, Russell. Yellow cards: Cadden, Kane, Phillips, Styles, Cole.

Goals: Kane 40 (pen), Cole 81, Watters 89.

Attendance: 12,519 (579 away).

Referee: Ollie Yates (Staffordshire)