The winger scored in both victories over the Tykes last season, and was once again the match winner in an entertaining encounter at Oakwell.

The Sky Blues, who kept up their 100 per cent record to this season with three victories, found themselves in front against the run of play in the 11th minute – when Freddy Eastwood fired a cross in from the right which evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner. It was Eastwood's first goal for almost a year, the last coming against Blackpool on August 25.

Brian Howard's clinical finish on the stroke of half-time earned the hosts a deserved equaliser. But Gray's 68th-minute strike and Iain Hume's red card made for a miserable second half for the Reds, who have now lost three games on the spin.

New signing Gary Teale went straight into the Barnsley starting line-up, with manager Simon Davey missing eight first-team players because of injury and suspensions. Coventry manager Chris Coleman made one change to the side which beat Norwich
2-0 last Saturday – Michael Mifsud, who impressed against Aldershot in midweek, replacing injured right-back Stephen Wright.

The hosts created a few early half-chances, Diego Leon the main architect in some adventurous play but it was from an inswinging Leon corner that Barnsley almost took the lead.

Darren Moore showed real strength to meet the cross on the edge of the six-yard box, but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by Kieren Westwood.

Just as the Tykes looked like pressing home their advantage, the visitors went in front through Eastwood's cross-shot.

The goal deflated the hosts, forced back by City for large periods of the opening half, and they almost found themselves further behind with Elliott Ward struck the post with a header.

Howard pounced to send the Tykes in at the break on level terms but the second half began like the first with the home team doing most of the pressing without really testing Westwood.

Their lacklustre finishing proved costly when Gray picked up a pass from Eastwood before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Barnsley continued to struggle in front of goal and their task became even harder when summer signing Hume was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mifsud 10 minutes from time.

Davey said: "I am disappointed to lose the game but there are a lot of positives for us. I think we are a good side, we just need to start putting chances away."

Barnsley: Steele, Foster, Moore, Guedes, Hassell (Odejayi 86), Teale (Rigters 74), Leon, Howard, Devaney, Hume, Macken. Unused substitutes: Mostto, Atkinson, Butterfield.

Coventry City: Westwood, Beuzelin, Ward, Dann, Fox, Tabb, Gunnarsson, Gray (McKenzie 79), Morrison (Simpson 85), Eastwood, Mifsud (Doyle 87). Unused substitutes: Ireland, Turner.

Referee: Steve Bratt (W Midlands).

Man of the match: Julian Gray.