Barnsley 0 Fleetwood 1: Tykes slump to Oakwell defeat

BARNSLEY suffered a fifth straight defeat to drop into relegation trouble.

They were leap-frogged by visitors Fleetwood, who won it with a 29th-minute strike from forward Jamie Proctor.

Barnsley were without seven regulars due to injuries and suspension and badly missed midfield duo Conor Hourihane and Ben Pearson in particular.

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Lee Johnson made a surprise choice in central defence when he paired Marc Roberts with Alfie Mawson and consigned experienced Lewin Nyatanga to the bench.

There was a debut,too, for Southamtpon winger Lloyd Isgrove, who signed in the morning on loan until early January.

Johnson still employed just Sam Winnall up front and there were ironic cheers when Josh Scowen produced their first attempt in the 26th minute, a tame effort from 30 yards.

Fleetwood struck soon after as Proctor robbed Paul Digby in central midfield, burst forward and slotted home as Nick Townsend rushed out from goal.

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Captain Mawson went close in first-half stoppage time but Chris Maxwell pawed away his 27-yard free-kick.

Nyatanga replaced Roberts, who had been booked, at the start of the second half and Michael Smith came on to partner Winnall at Dan Crowley’s expense.

Townsend was first into action, however, going full length to keep out a curling drive from Bobby Grant as the Reds struggled to find a way through at the other end, though Michael Smith’s header was well held by Maxwell.

Townsend also came to Barnsley’s rescue, pushing off the line Wood’s powerful downward header from a 66th-minute corner.

Simeon Jackson came on to add width but Barnsley failed to mount a late onslaught and suffered their second home defeat of the week.