Phillips brace defeats Derby

An inspired Adam Phillips bagged another brace as Barnsley secured vital 2-1 win over Derby County to blow the League One top two race wide open.

The visitors took an early lead but Phillips levelled with a stunning goal before half-time then put the hosts in front after the break.

It was an even game of few chances but Barnsley shaded it overall, then defended very well late on.

Bolton Wanderers were beaten so Barnsley are three points off the top two with a game in hand on second-placed Derby.

Donovan Pines made his full debut, in place of the benched Jamie McCart, while John McAtee came in for Sam Cosgrove who also dropped to the bench.

Derby had a chance in the first minute when a free-kick by goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith was headed on twice before Max Bird nodded weakly at Liam Roberts.

At the other end in the second minute, Devante Cole headed a left-wing cross but it floated into Wildsmith’s hands.

Barnsley looked to have settled into the game well but Derby then had a series of set pieces which led to the opener. A corner from former Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane on the right was headed by Sonny Bradley to Eiran Cashin whose header was nodded off the line by Nicky Cadden. From the next corner seconds later, Bradley powered a header into the Barnsley net.

Phillips levelled when a Cadden cross was headed out to him and he superbly took the ball down then blasted a 22-yard shot just inside the left post.

In the second half, Cadden ran onto a long ball on the left of the box but his volley was straight into Wildsmith’s arms.

The Reds took the lead midway through the second half when Phillips headed home a right-wing corner by Cadden.

It took until injury-time for Derby to have a second half shot, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s long-range effort from the left wing caught by Roberts.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts; De Gevigney, Pines, Earl; Williams, Phillips (Cotter 87mins), Connell, Kane, Cadden (O’Keeffe 90+6); Cole (Grant 90+6), McAtee (Cosgrove 58).

Unused: Killip, McCart, Marsh.

Yellow cards: Roberts, Earl, Cosgrove, Cole.

Goals: Phillips 33, 66.

Derby (3-4-2-1): Wildsmith; Nelson, Bradley, Cashin; Wilson, Adams (Smith 89mins), Hourihane (Barkhuizen 61), Elder (Nyambe 77mins); Sibley (Gayle 61), Bird; Mendez-Laing.

Unused: Loach, Thompson, Fornah.

Goals: Bradley 18.