Barnsley 4 Swindon 1: Nyatanga ‘double’ at Oakwell

Nyatanga’s 20th-minute own goal had been quickly followed by an equaliser from Marley Watkins. Wabara put them ahead before the break and Nyatanga headed home the third in the 59th minute before Conor Hourihane clinched the points with the fourth in the 76th.

Reds chief Lee Johnson made four changes to the side which lost at home to Shrewsbury in the previous match with striker Sam Winnall left on the bench with goalkeeper Adam Davies and Marc Roberts and with Dan Crowley not in the squad.

Watkins led the line, Nick Townsend was named in goal while George Smith came in at left-back and Kadeem Harris on the left.

Townsend was at fault, however, when he came racing off his line as Swindon launched the ball forward and Nyatanga saw his header float over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area and roll into the net as others tried in vain to get back and clear.

Ryan Williams limped off and Winnall was brought on up front - Watkins moving out to the right - giving the Reds attack a more physical threat.

Barnsley were level within two minutes when Josh Scowen threaded the ball through and Watkins beat the offside trap to calmly sidefoot home as Lawrence Vigouroux rushed out.

Right-back Reece Wabara then smashed home his stunning 30-yarder from Conor Hourihane’s square ball to make it 2-1 in the last minute of the half.

Swindon made a couple of changes but it was Barnsley who made it 3-1 when Conor Hourihane regained possession after his free-kick had been headed out and clipped the ball across from Nyatanga, restored to central defence from left-back, who headed down and home.

Townsend had to be sharp off his line a couple of times at the other end but Winnall was denied a penalty when he went down under the challenge of Vigouroux.

Josh Scowen then went on an arcing run in the area before seeing his shot deflect onto the bar but Hourihane was there to tap home the rebound.

Winnall almost made it five but stabbed a mishit shot from Scowen wide and Ajose curled the ball over the bar from eight yards at the other end when he should have scored. He almost atoned but Townsend was equal to his curling shot.

Vigouroux was at his best as he tipped over a late volley from Winnall and Townsend blocked with his legs from Thomas in stoppage time.

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