Barnsley 3 Stevenage 1: Vital win but at what cost as vultures circle

Another fixture is never far away and, transfer window or not, poachers are always lurking.

That tension is being felt at Barnsley, where each result carries extra weight amid a congested table and the looming uncertainty of deadline day.

The Reds claimed the win they craved against Stevenage, yet the sense of unease only increased.

Davis Keillor-Dunn did little to calm the nerves of supporters, firing a decisive double that secured a vital victory and reminded everyone of his talents.

By scoring twice to take his season tally to 16, he kept himself firmly in the shop window and left Barnsley facing an uncomfortable deadline day.

The marksman has been heavily linked with Wrexham and Saturday's match-winning performance would not have gone unnoticed.

Two clinical finishes, three precious points for the Reds.

Conor Hourihane's side began the weekend perilously close to the drop zone but ended it with a five-point cushion.

To build some much-needed momentum, a strong start to the new week is imperative.

The Reds first need to keep the vultures at bay before Monday's transfer deadline and then take care of business against Northampton Town on Tuesday.

They still have work to do to remove the threat of relegation but another three points in midweek would allow them to start looking up the table again.

After all, they have as many as five games in hand on sixth-placed Huddersfield Town.

While a 12-point deficit borders on insurmountable, they at least have the opportunity to make the closing months of the season interesting.

Saturday represented a positive step in the right direction.

Barnsley had won only one of their previous seven games, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone at kick-off.

By the end of a match that began in sunshine and ended in torrential rain, they were feeling better about life – even if the victory carried a sense of dread.

Keillor-Dunn chose the perfect – and perhaps the worst – time to underline his value to the Reds.

Reyes Cleary, who like Keillor-Dunn has suitors thanks to his standout form, produced another eye-catching performance but the tone was set by veteran striker David McGoldrick.

Although the 38-year-old sat out the midweek hammering by Cardiff City, he appeared determined to ensure there was no hangover.

Stevenage – among the early pacesetters before dropping out of the top six – arrived at Oakwell protecting the best defensive record in League One but they had no answer to the lively hosts.

McGoldrick had already been denied by the offside flag and found himself in the right place for another opportunity when he broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with his fourth goal in three appearances.

Carl Piergianni gifted McGoldrick a chance with a loose pass in his own box and he made no mistake this time, firing across Filip Marschall and into the far corner.

Barnsley had the early goal their bright start merited and immediately went in search of a second.

Chances came and went before Keillor-Dunn produced a fine finish just after the half-hour mark to end his five-game wait for a goal.

Cleary carried the ball down the left flank with purpose and passed inside to Keillor-Dunn. He still had plenty to do but drove into the box and unleashed a firm left-footed strike that found the net with the help of a post.

If anything, the 2-0 scoreline flattered the visitors.

The Reds had sloppy Stevenage right where they wanted them, only to gift a goal in familiar fashion as half-time approached.

Luca Connell, who endured a difficult night at Cardiff, extended his generosity with a poor pass in a dangerous area and Kemp punished him from Jamie Reid's flick.

Barnsley played out the rest of the half without incurring further damage and crucially struck first after the interval through that man Keillor-Dunn.

Scott Banks' ball in behind left Marschall scrambling, allowing Keillor-Dunn to round the keeper and slot into an empty net with a confident finish.

Stevenage boss Alex Revell, who lost Jasper Pattenden to a concussion in the early stages, emptied his bench in a last roll of the dice and got a response from his team in incessant rain.

But Barnsley – so sprightly in attack earlier – showed the other side of their game to hold firm.

The challenge now is to demonstrate that same steel off the pitch to keep their squad intact beyond deadline day.

Barnsley: Goodman, Shepherd, O'Keeffe, McGoldrick, O'Connell, Banks (Roberts 91), Cleary (Chiwera 81), Kelly (Yoganathan 71), Watson, Keillor-Dunn (Bland 81), Connell. Substitutes unused: Flavell, De Gevigney, Ogbeta.

Goals: McGoldrick (14), Keillor-Dunn (31, 48).

Stevenage: Marschall, Piergianni, Sweeney, Phillips (Thompson 59), Kemp (Campbell 59), Roberts (Lubala 59), Earley, Freestone, Pattenden (Patterson 10), White (Houghton 46), Reid (Cornick 59). Substitutes unused: Ashby-Hammond.

Goals: Kemp (37).

Referee: S Stocksbridge (Durham).