Barnsley 2 Leyton Orient 0: Resilient Reds mark Wilson’s milestone

But he conceded his side needed to carry out “backs to the wall” defending in the second half to help him mark the occasion with three points.

Wilson, who became only the 24th man to have reached the milestone as his team looked to claim their first league win for a month, said of the contest: “It was full of commitment, great application, great attitude, and two terrific goals.

“It was backs against the wall second half, so all those ingredients were there for us.

“The pleasing thing is that we came off the back of a very good win at Chester and continued with that type of performance, which is great.”

Defender Reece Brown, the brother of former England and Manchester United centre-back Wes, was dropped to the substitutes’ bench, with Lewin Nyatanga restored to the starting line-up.

There were also places on the bench for Marcello Trotta, the Fulham loan striker, and promising youngster Rhys Oates.

The Reds went ahead when Kane Hemmings sliced the Orient defence apart with a wonderful pass and midfielder Conor Hourihane cooly rounded goalkeeper Adam Legzdins and slotted home to give the home side a deserved lead.

Devante Cole put the Reds 2-0 up with a smart finish after 38 minutes. Dale Jennings played him in with a smart pass and the Manchester City loan marksman fired between the legs of the advancing Legzdins.

Barnsley: Turnbull, Holgate, Ramage, Cranie, Nyatanga, Berry, Bailey, Hourihane, Jennings, Cole, Hemmings. Unused substitutes: Brown, Treacy, Davies, Digby, Oates, Trotta, Lita.

Leyton Orient: Legzdins, Omozusi, Lowry, Cuthbert, Sawyer, Pritchard, Wright, Vincelot, McAnuff, Plasmati,. Batt. Unused substitutes: Baudry, Cox, Mooney, Lee, Agyemang, Dossena, Woods.

Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire).

Shaun Batt had the first chance for Orient, but he curled a left-foot shot wide of the target after six minutes.

Two minutes later, Dale Jennings whipped in a delightful cross for Kane Hemmings, but the striker volleyed wide from a good position.

The Reds went ahead when Hemmings cut the O’s defence in half with a wonderful pass and midfielder Conor Hourihane cooly rounded keeper Adam Legzdins and slotted home to give the Reds a deserved lead.

Midfielder James Bailey rifled well over with an ambitious shot from the edge of the box and, on 35 minutes, Berry had to go off for a couple of minutes for a head injury. He returned sporting a new shirt and shorts because of blood on his old set, as well as a big white head-band to prevent the cut opening up further

Devante Cole put the Reds 2-0 up with a smart finish after 38 minutes. Jennings played him in with a smart pass and the Manchester City loan marksman fired between the legs of the advancing Legzdins.

In the second half Hemmings cut inside and blasted high and wide with a left-foot shot, and The O’s made their third and final substitution of the afternoon as they switched their formation to find a way back into the contest.

Berry was denied the Reds’ third goal when his point-blank volley expertly saved by Legzdins while at the other end, Barnsley keeper Ross Turnbull parried a powerful drive from Cox.

Turnbull was shown a straight red card for a handball outside his area. Jobi McAnuff’s through-ball caught the Reds’ defence cold and Batt’s touch completely decided Turnbull. Referee Mark Brown had no choice but give the keeper his marching orders, but Shane Lowry wasted the resulting free-kick as he blasted well over.

Lowry had a left-foot shot deflected for a corner in the fourth and penultimate minute of injury-time

Barnsley: Turnbull, Holgate, Ramage, Cranie, Nyatanga, Berry, Bailey, Hourihane, Jennings, Cole, Hemmings.

Subs: Brown, Treacy, Davies, Digby, Oates, Trotta, Lita.

Leyton Orient: Legzdins, Omozusi, Lowry, Cuthbert, Sawyer, Pritchard, Wright, Vincelot, McAnuff, Plasmati,. Batt.

Subs: Baudry, Cox, Mooney, Lee, Agyemang, Dossena, Woods.

Referee: Mark Brown (East Yorkshire)