Two-goal star Sam Winnall says Barnsley's fans and players both produced their best performances at Oakwell this season on Saturday.
Winnall set up the first then scored the next two as the Reds beat Walsall 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-final. The second leg is on Thursday with the winners going to Wembley for the final on May 29.
"We said in the dressing room that that's the best we've played at home this season," said Winnall, who now has 24 for the season.
"To do it under pressure when the Sky cameras are on is testament to us as a group. Every time we have had a big game this season, we have performed. We would have snapped someone's hand off if they had offered us 3-0 in the first leg but we've still got a job to do on Thursday."
Winnall also praised the crowd of 16,051, saying: "That's the loudest it's been since I have been here. The atmosphere was fantastic and they got right behind us from the first minute to the last. We're just happy we can repay them with performances and results like that."
Winnall got his two goals within 100 seconds, the first being a long-range deflected strike into the top corner and the second a cool finish after a run past several defenders. He said: "I got a bit of luck with a big deflection for the first one. Then I was obviously still elated after the first goal when I picked the ball up and thought: 'have a run and see what happens.'
"Thankfully I have got myself in one-on-one and I always back myself to score in those situations. I knew the magnitude of the goal at the time and I will enjoy it for a long time."
