Barnsley 1 Peterborough United 0: Cotterill has Barnsley breathing more easily with decisive strike

The Tykes are not mathematically safe yet but an 11-point cushion with seven games to play offers a deal of re-assurance.

There had been minor rumblings of discontent among supporters after a sequence of 14 losses in 19 games but those were well and truly silenced against Peterborough.

Playing with only 10 men for over an hour, Barnsley held onto a one-goal lead and showed all the character, hunger and organisation that manager Keith Hill wants from his side.

A number of players also delivered improved individual performances that offer real encouragement for the future.

Home supporters played their part, too, acknowledging the efforts of their team with passion and praise.

All in all, it was an afternoon to savour for the Tykes who have had to overcome financial limitations to achieve their pre-season goals.

“I was proud of the way the players accepted the challenges; the sequence of results, the position we were possibly getting dragged into. They stood up to be counted and produced the type of performance I promised when I first came to the football club,” said manager Hill.

“It was getting back to the way I want football to be played by the players and received by the supporters.”

Hill was ambiguous when asked if he thinks Barnsley are now safe.

“Mathematically we are not safe but psychologically, and looking at the permutations of the fixtures coming up, there would be a suggestion that we are safe,” he said.

“ I think we are in a safe zone, but not safe from getting embroiled in a relegation battle, considering we have to play Bristol City.”

New signing Kallum Higginbotham started on the bench for the Tykes, who are still missing a host of key players.

Hill made one change to the side which suffered a last-minute defeat at Crystal Palace, recalling Cotterill at the expense of on-loan Frank Nouble.

Cotterill had only started twice since arriving on a short-term deal last month, mainly due to a lack of match fitness.

The Welsh international was released by Swansea City and needs to do something to kick-start his career after an equally unspectacular stay at Sheffield United.

He celebrated his recall on Saturday with the only goal, a low drive past Peterborough goalkeeper Paul Jones after good work by Matt Done.

But afterwards, Hill made it clear that Cotterill has not always ticked the right boxes since joining the club.

“He comes with a big reputation but reputations mean nothing,” said Hill. “It’s about producing and he’s produced (on Saturday).

“He’s a very good technician but he wasn’t fit when he came. A little bit impatient. Now he’s respecting the squad that he’s in and the players are respecting him.

“Obviously, with that type of performance, they go hand-in-hand. Hopefully, the future is going to be brighter because when players come to the football club, they can’t keep expecting to play without proving their ability.

“They have to prove that and get the respect from the players on the training pitch. (On Saturday) he was magnificent.”

Cotterill’s goal lifted the Oakwell crowd who, until that stage, had seen growing intent without any real end product.

It should have provided a springboard to move forward but Nathan Doyle’s reckless tackle on Lee Tomlin just eight minutes later reduced Barnsley to 10 men.

The midfielder, who has recently returned to the spotlight after a loan spell at Preston North End, caught Tomlin above the ankle when lunging for the ball. His manager had no complaints about the red card.

Barnsley should have doubled their lead before the interval but striker Craig Davies headed wide at the far post from Cotterill’s free-kick.

Referee Andy Haines was getting stick from both sets of supporters, Barnsley’s anger fuelled by the red card and Peterborough’s by a series of 50:50 decisions not going their way.

Hill toyed with the idea of sending on midfielder Korry Smith before the break but persisted with a three-man midfield.

His side subsequently spent long periods without the ball but a well-organised rearguard kept the visitors at bay.

Smith was eventually introduced midway through the second half as a replacement for striker Davies.

Peterborough applied pressure but it was often lacklustre and Barnsley stood firm.

Goalkeeper David Button came off his line to punch a number of balls clear but was rarely tested on his goalline.

Substitute Emile Sinclair will no doubt rue missing two late chances, putting the ball wide on both occasions.

‘Inept’ was how Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson described his team’s display.

His club’s travelling supporters were also far from amused.

But that mattered not a jot to Barnsley, who are now above seven clubs in the table and starting to look forward to more Championship football next season.