Barnsley 2 Oldham 1: Winnall keeps Reds dream alive

Be it the eight-game losing run of the autumn or simply falling behind at Wembley to League Two opposition in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final, the Reds have an aversion to doing things the easy way.

Last night was no different. A crucial three points were, in the end, secured thanks to a Sam Winnall double.

But Paul Heckingbottom’s men once again put their supporters through the emotional wringer before doing so.

Ahead at the break through Winnall’s opener in first-half stoppage time, the Reds looked relatively secure in their quest to crank the pressure up on the top six.

Then, though, the initiative was gradually surrendered to Oldham and Curtis Main took 
advantage by firing in the equaliser.

With Walsall winning at Gillingham, a big opportunity to narrow the gap on the Kent side in sixth place appeared to be slipping away.

Step forward Barnsley’s big game players as, first, Adam Hammill won a penalty with some clever play, then a cool finish from Winnall from the resulting spot-kick sealed a vital win to help repair some of the damage from last weekend’s shock home loss to Chesterfield.

It also kept alive dreams of a Wembley double for a side still basking in the glow of this month’s Trophy win over Oxford United.

With a run-in featuring trips to leading duo Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion plus a derby at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United, Barnsley knew last night simply had to yield three points.

Oldham, though, went into the clash on the back of three straight wins and were clearly not going to be dispatched easily.

That much was apparent in an open encounter that, for long periods, saw play rage from one end to the other and back again as both sides pressed for the opener.

For the Latics, Main, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, possessed the biggest attacking threat throughout.

He was unfortunate inside three minutes that a pass from Mike Jones was slightly too far ahead of the striker, who despite stretching for the ball was unable to get sufficient connection to trouble Adam Davies.

The Reds goalkeeper was tested shortly afterwards by a stinging low drive from Main, who then almost embarrassed Marc Roberts by dispossessing the defender on the goal-line only for a desperate last gasp tackle to rescue the situation.

As the first half drew to a close, Main then turned creator but 
neither Liam Kelly nor Jake Cassidy possessed the wit to capitalise.

Likewise, Jonathan Forte was similarly wasteful when released by Main and Oldham were made to pay in the fourth of nine stoppage-time minutes that were required following a serious injury suffered by Brian Wilson.

Winnall was the man who punished the visitors, the Reds striker heading in a pinpoint corner from Conor Hourihane.

It was fitting that the club’s top scorer should make the breakthrough, as earlier in the half he had been unfortunate to see a drilled shot crash against the post with Joel Coleman well beaten.

Toney thought he had doubled the lead three minutes into the second half only for his celebrations to be cut short by the linesman flagging for offside.

As if inspired by the let-off, Oldham and Main was unfortunate to see his fearsome shot beat Davies but not the post as the ball ran just wide.

Main made amends as the game entered the final quarter by finishing with aplomb following impressive work by the 
Latics down the home side’s left flank.

Barnsley almost replied immediately, only a stunning reflex save from Coleman denying Winnall’s shot as the ball cannoned against the post.

The Reds’ striker was again rueing his luck 15 minutes from time when he looked to have forced a long throw from Roberts goalwards only for Coleman to drop on the ball just in time.

It looked as if the night would end in frustration for the home side but a clever free-kick routine saw Hammill dart into the area before being tripped by Holmes-Dennis.

Referee Simon Hooper immediately pointed to the spot and Winnall did the rest to send the locals home happy, if a tad drained from another rollercoaster night watching their team.

Barnsley: Davies; Bree (Williams 42), Roberts, Mawson, White; Watkins (Scowen 89), Hourihane, Brownhill, Hammill; Toney (Fletcher 65), Winnall. Substitutes (not used): Townsend, Nyatanga, Chapman, Isgrove.

Oldham Athletic: Coleman; Dummigan, Gerrard, J Wilson, Holmes-Dennis; Dieng, Kelly, Winchester (B Wilson 21, Forte 33), Jones (Tuohy 46); Cassidy, Main. Substitutes (not used): Cornell, Brown, Mills, Croft.

Referee: S Hooper (Wiltshire).