Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane's mixed feelings following elusive clean sheet - plus David McGoldrick update
CONOR Hourihane saw his Barnsley side secure their first clean sheet in 26 matches in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at League One basement club Port Vale - but had mixed feelings after the stalemate.
The mid-table Reds dominated much of the game in the Potteries to continue their good recent away form, but couldn't back up last weekend's win at Rotherham United with another three points.
They had a golden chance in the second half when they were awarded a rare penalty, but Adam Phillips saw his effort stopped by ex-Reds loanee Joe Gauci.
Hourihane said: “We could say we’re very happy with the clean sheet but I would have preferred a 2-1 win. It’s pleasing for the lads at the back who have worked relentlessly hard.
"The lads were brilliant and they have been for the last two games. Coming into Rotherham, we were going through a patch we weren’t happy with and I asked them for two big performances.
"Everyone thinks we should just turn up and beat these teams because of the position they are in but it’s not the case at all they are fighting for their lives. They have put in two very very good performances. It should have been six points but it wasn’t to be.
"We absolutely should have won it. There was only one team going to win it. They had a bit of a spell for five or six minutes at the start of the second half after they made a change.
"But other than that, we limited them to very little and the lads at the back did really well. They did the basics of the game well when the rain came down in the second half.”
Hourihane praised the performance of Vimal Yoganathan, who was again paired in midfield with Jono Bland despite Luca Connell being back in the fray after missing the Millers derby after his partner give birth.
The Reds boss added: "Vimal was our best player. He was really really impressive - landing on things driving forward with the ball, really energetic.
"When the pressure is on in these games people expect you to win, you have Bland, Vimal and Patrick Kelly – the future of the football club – in the middle of the pitch and I think they have bossed both games. They are growing from boys to men and it’s good to see.”
Top-scorer David McGoldrick (hamstring) missed a second successive game.
Hourihane said: "We’re hoping he will be involved on Saturday. It will be touch and go, at best he will potentially be on the bench. If he has a good couple of good days we may see him involved."