Daniel Stendel was pleased with the focus his Barnsley showed in their 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley at Oakwell.
The second-placed Reds kept a fourth successive clean sheet and scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half.
Stendel said: “We played well today. It was a normal victory from a side near the top of the table, we controlled most of the game. It was not our best performance but we deserved to win.
“We know it is not easy to win against Accrington. I watched them play at Sunderland and they were very good. We were missing some important players. I told the players to concentrate on this game and not Sunderland on Tuesday. It is not so easy but the players showed focus.”
Leaders Luton Town and third-placed Sunderland both drew their games which leaves the Reds three points off first place and four clear in second, although Sunderland have a game in hand and visit Oakwell on Tuesday.
Stendel said: “We cannot influence the results of the other teams but, on the other side, it is only good for us if Luton and Sunderland do not win. We will focus on winning our games until the end of the season.”
The opening goal was scored by right-back Dimitri Cavare before Will Wood scored an own goal minutes later. Stendel said: “I was a little bit surprised that Dimi scored. It was a good pass from Cauley (Woodrow) and sometimes, when Dimi has chances, he shoots with power but this time he used his brain. It was an important goal of us. Then I was happy that we could get another goal before half-time.”
Cavare added: “Everyone is happy. It was a good game for me. I scored, we won and we kept another clean sheet. For the goal, I was thinking ‘I have to shoot’. The ‘keeper came out with his legs open and I shot past him. It was a very good feeling, with all the supporters and the atmosphere.
“It’s a good day with Luton and Sunderland drawing, but it was would have been better if Sunderland had lost.”
Stendel praised full debutant Jordan Green, saying: "I am very proud of Jordan Green. It was his first game in the starting 11. He was a bit nervous and not everything he did was good, but it was a good start."
