Daniel Stendel admits the injury to Kieffer Moore dampened Barnsley’s spirits following their 4-1 win at Gillingham.

The Reds’ top-scorer was knocked unconscious towards the end of the game after an aerial clash with home player Gabriel Zakuani. There was an eight-minute delay then the striker was taken to hospital. 

Head coach Stendel said: “We hope the best for him and hope he comes back soon. It was difficult and he was on the ground for a long time. We are all happy that we won this game but the atmosphere is not as happy as normal for a 4-1 victory. We are all thinking about Kieffer.”

Cauley Woodrow, Moore’s strikepartner, added: “We were really sad to see what happened to Kieffer. We hope he recovers quickly and is ready for the next game. The game was stopped for a long time and it’s important that we stayed focused because they had scored just before that. We needed to see out the game and we did that.”

Moore put the visitors ahead after just 15 seconds then Woodrow added two and, after the hosts replied and Moore was hurt, Jacob Brown made it 4-1.

Stendel said: “The start was very good, we were in front in the first minute then we had three big chances but we didn’t score and then we weren’t so good. 

“We played long balls too much and did not have the control. Sometimes it is not so good when you score so early because everyone thinks ‘I can score, I can score, I can score.’ 

“But, after the second goal a minute before half-time, I thought we would win. In the second half, we were more together and we had chances to score more than four.  I was a little bit angry about the goal we conceded which was not necessary but we won so it is OK.” 

Woodrow was delighted to net the second goal just before half-time then another on 71 minutes. He said: “It was a tough game, the pitch wasn’t great and Gillingham are a good side. But we’re delighted to win 4-1.

“It was a crazy start and to score straight away was brilliant for the team. When you score early it’s easy to lose focus and think you have cracked it but we kept playing attacking football and came out on top.

“The timing of my first one was perfect then we knew we needed another to kill the game off and thankfully I got that.” 

Results below them mean that Barnsley are now three points clear in second place. Stendel said: “It doesn’t change our mindset. We want to stay at the top of the table and work hard for this goal of promotion. I think my players can handle the pressure and it is a good experience for us.”

Stendel also praised the 786 Barnsley fans who travelled more than 200 miles to Kent. He said: “It’s unbelievable. We have so good support and I am happy that the players can give back a little bit to the fans by winning games. Barnsley is not the players on the pitch, it is the supporters as well. “