Barnsley 2 Burnley 0: Butterfield points Barnsley towards overdue double

The Tykes had gone 13 months without winning two games in a row at Oakwell – a major reason why the club have struggled to progress in the Championship.

Now, under new manager Keith Hill, there are growing signs that the Tykes could shake off their unwanted tag as perennial strugglers.

The next step for Barnsley is winning back-to-back league games, something they have not done since last November. But this victory over Burnley, coupled with victory in the previous home game against Coventry City, will do for starters.

Injuries to Bobby Hassell and Jay McEveley forced Hill to make two changes in defence with Rob Edwards, back after a month on the sidelines, and Scott Wiseman returning to the side.

There was good news in attack where summer signing Craig Davies made his first start for two months after struggling with a groin injury.

Barnsley had gone seven games unbeaten prior to last weekend’s defeat at Portsmouth – a sequence that included impressive draws against big payers Leicester, Derby and Birmingham.

Hill has continually stressed that the club’s main priority this season is Championship survival, a target based on the gulf in spending power that exists between Barnsley and the majority of the division’s other clubs.

Last night’s opponents Burnley are among those enjoying parachute payments from the Premier League but they were unable to transfer any fiscal advantage onto the pitch to deny Barnsley a result last night.

The Tykes survived an early scare when defender Edwards blocked Ross Wallace’s shot on the line.

And Burnley fired another warning shot when Charlie Austin only just failed to connect with a dangerous cross from Junior Stanislas.

Barnsley’s first real opportunity arrived from a corner in the 19th minute but McNulty was unable to keep his header on target.

But the home side took the lead three minutes later as Butterfield scored his fourth goal in the last seven games.

The midfielder both started and finished what was a neat move, spraying the ball out wide to winger Jim O’Brien whose far post centre was headed back across the box by Davies.

Butterfield arrived virtually unmarked to poke home a low shot from eight yards.

Burnley were unlucky not to level in the 25th minute when an angled drive from Jay Rodriguez came back off the crossbar.

But the goal sparked an improved spell of play from Barnsley who, in Butterfield and O’Brien, have unearthed a couple of true gems.

O’Brien, who patrolled the right flank with a calm but crafty efficiency, struggled last season after moving south of the border from Scottish club Hibernian.

On last night’s evidence, he is playing with far greater confidence and has got to terms with the demands of life in the Championship.

Barnsley threatened to double their advantage shortly before the interval when Danny Drinkwater tested goalkeeper Lee Grant with a fiercely struck free-kick.

Grant was unable to hold the shot and it took a bold intervention from defender David Edgar to stop Andy Gray and Craig Davies bundling home the rebound.

Not surprisingly, Burnley – chasing an equaliser – took the game to Barnsley at the start of the second half.

Striker Charlie Austin found space in the area but hit the side netting after his first attempt was blocked by Jimmy McNulty.

O’Brien was switched to the left by Hill and his pass sent Davies clear for what should have been a crucial second goal for Barnsley.

The Welsh international, however, rushed his shot and sent the ball wide.

It was not the only miss by Davies who dragged another shot wide to underline his lack of competitive action this season.

Goalkeeper Grant made a flying save to deny Butterfield as Barnsley kept up the pressure.

Steele remained alert at the opposite end but, at one stage, was nearly caught out with a shot from the halfway line.

The Barnsley stopper rushed out wide to foil Marvin Bartley but his clearance landed at the feet of Burnley captain Chris McCann.

Steele sprinted back across goal and dived athletically to try to palm away a 40-yard shot which only just missed the target.

Substitute Vaz Te settled the contest nine minutes from the end, picking up Andy Gray’s pass inside the area and coolly stroking a first-time shot around goalkeeper Grant. It was the former Portuguese Under-21 international’s first goal for the club.

Barnsley: Steele; Wiseman, Foster, Edwards, McNulty; O’Brien, Doyle, Drinkwater; Butterfield; Gray, Davies (Vaz Te 75). Unused substitutes: Preece, Addison, Park, Stones.

Burnley: Grant; Trippier, Amougou, Edgar, Easton; Stanislas (Treacy 68), McCann, Bartley; Wallace (Hines 88), Rodriguez; Austin. Unused substitutes: Stewart, Mee, Marney.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).