Daniel Stendel was delighted that Barnsley produced both a good result and performance in their 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

The head coach admitted his side were better than in the 2-1 win over Rochdale on Saturday and Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Oxford United. 

Stendel said: “We played very well. In the five minutes before half-time we were not totally concentrated but, for the other 85 minutes, we were the better team. In the second half, we could have scored more but we saved those goals for the next matches. We were very good off the ball which is very important for me and we had spoken about that.

“It’s not too easy to play at a high level every time. We got important points against Rochdale and Oxford but today was much better.” 

Scunthorpe thought they should have had a penalty just before the opening goal when ex-Red Adam Hammill seemed to be fouled in the box by Ethan Pinnock.

Stendel said: “I am happy that I am the manager from Barnsley and not Scunthorpe because, if I was him, I would be a little bit angry at the moment. I was happy that it was not a penalty and that we scored straight away.”

Scunthorpe manager Stuart McCall said: “We have been beaten by the better side on the day but decisions can change games. It’s a penalty, he took Hammy out.” 

Central midfielders Alex Mowatt and Cameron McGeehan got the goals. Stendel said: “We spoke during the game about Alex’s performance, it was so good. He and Cameron McGeehan played so good off the ball and created a lot of chances. I am very happy that we have players like them in our team.”

McGeehan said: “It was a good win. Scunthorpe have been doing really well of late. We were definitely a lot better today than in the last two games. We won’t be at our best every week but today we were a lot better. We play better against teams who have better players and try to play better football. With Adam Hammill coming back, that gets you up for it.” 

McGeehan said he had sympathy for Scunthorpe goalkeeper Jak Alnwick who was beaten by Alex Mowatt’s long-range strike with the sun in his eyes. 

“I feel for the ‘keeper because the sun was right in his eyes for the first goal. It probably killed his confidence a bit for the rest of the game. You don’t like to see that with a fellow professional. Everyone was suffering with the sun but it was right in his eyes.”