Late Phillips brace stuns Orient

Adam Phillips netted in both the 88th and 95th minutes as Barnsley incredibly came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient.

The visitors took an early lead then the Reds dominated the ball for the rest of the game, missing chances before the remarkable late drama. Luca Connell was sent off between the two goals.

Barnsley are up to fourth, four points behind second with a game in hand and four clear in the top six.

Neill Collins kept the same 11 as for the draw a week earlier at Bolton Wanderers, but Aiden Marsh replaced Max Watters on the bench.

Former Barnsley midfielder George Moncur’s deflected free-kick was pushed over by Liam Roberts who saved more easily from Shaq Forde’s low 30-yard effort.

Barry Cotter’s long throws led to a volley by Devante Cole which looked destined for the bottom left corner but Sol Brynn made a fine save then, after another throw was half-cleared, Luca Connell shot just wide of the bottom right corner from 20 yards.

Orient took the lead in the tenth minute. Home captain Jordan Williams was beaten in the air by Ollie O’Neill and the ball was picked up his former Reds team-mate Moncur who surged into the box from the left and pulled it back for Ruel Sotiriou to supply a cool finish.

Barnsley were on top for the rest of the first half. Brynn tipped a 20-yard effort from Herbie Kane out of his bottom left corner and saved a longer-range Connell effort more easily. He also made a decent stop after Nicky Cadden played in Cole on the left who shot from a tight angle.

Brynn missed a Cotter throw with both McAtee and Phillips seeing goal-bound shots blocked. Then Phillips’ fine cross was the right was missed by Cole in front of goal.

Mael de Gevigney headed a Kane corner wide. The last action of the first half saw Cole swap passes with Cadden then curl a shot from the left of the box which Brynn jumped to his left to save, with Phillips’ rebound cleared off the line by Tom James.

In the second half, McAtee shot over from 15 yards out after a good Connell pass. McAtee saw a 30-yard strike easily saved on the hour-mark.

Sam Cosgrove came on for Kane and almost levelled within minutes but headed a right-wing cross straight at the goalkeeper when unmarked ten yards out.

Brynn pushed Connell’s long-range shot wide then, after the resulting corner was headed down, he brilliantly turned Cole’s close-range effort behind.

Phillips curled a free-kick well over but he eventually levelled. Mael de Gevigney’s fine pass over the top was met by Phillips who headed over the goalkeeper and in.

Connell was sent off immediately after the goal – a second yellow for dissent.

Orient substitute Brandon Cooper could have won it in injury-time but shot straight at Roberts.

Instead it was Phillips who volleyed in Corey O’Keeffe’s right-wing free-kick to spark jubilant scenes.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts; Williams, De Gevigney, Earl; Cotter (O’Keeffe 57mins), Phillips, Connell, Kane (Cosgrove 63), Cadden; Cole, McAtee (Grant 82).

Unused: Killip, Russell, Pines, Marsh.

Goals: Phillips 88, 90+5.

Orient (4-3-1-2): Brynn; James, Happe (Cooper 14mins), Beckles, Galbraith; Brown, El Mizouni, O’Neill; Moncur (Hunt 63); Forde (Pratley 63), Sotiriou (Pigott 53).

Unused: Howes Adu-Adjei,, Edwards.

Goals: Sotiriou 10.