Barnsley 0 Crewe 2: Wasteful Winnall costs Reds dearly

The home side handed a debut to new signing Leroy Lita but, despite dominating the game, conceded a goal in each half against the run of play.

The Reds went close to opening the scoring as early as the 12th minute when the impressive Conor Hourihane’s volley forced a stunning save from goalkeeper Ben Garratt.

The hosts had already gone close through Sam Winnall and Keith Treacy by the time centre-half Martin Cranie wasted a golden opportunity to give Danny Wilson’s men the lead.

That miss proved costly just 60 seconds later when Billy Waters ghosted in unmarked at the far post to slot home Liam Nolan’s shot-cum-cross.

Garratt denied Winnall twice and then should have done better with the knock-down of Jean Yves-M’voto, who Wilson had put on as a striker.

Matt Tootle made amends for a penalty miss on Saturday by drilling home his side’s second.

Barnsley: Davies, Bree, Brown, Cranie, Nyatanga, Treacy (M’Voto 76), Hourihane, Bailey, Noble-Lazarus (Boakye-Yiadom 87), Lita (McHale 62), Winnall. Substitutes: Dibble, Berry, Digby, McKnight

Crewe: Garratt, Tootle, Ray, Dugdale, Turton, Oliver (Haber, 87), Inman (Molyneux, 76), Waters, Nolan, Leigh (Guthrie 62), Grant. Substitutes: Shearer, Saunders, Baillie, Jones.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).