BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane felt that some of his players were on their last legs in Saturday's very disappointing derby loss to Doncaster Rovers as the Reds signed off for the international break with a whimper in a 1-0 Oakwell reverse.

A dire derby was settled on 65 minutes when former Barnsley player Elliot Lee netted from the penalty spot after Corey O'Keeffe was penalised for a tug on Rovers substitute Hakeeb Adelakun.

It was an eminently forgettable performance from the hosts - playing their seventh game in 21 days - and also showcased their lack of squad depth, with no fit striker being named on the bench after Tom Bradshaw missed out through a hamstring injury.

Hourihane said: "I thought it was one of those games where I felt like there wasn't much in it at all throughout the game. It was very tight, obviously the penalty then completely swayed the game.

Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane, pictured on Saturday afternoon against Doncaster Rovers. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane, pictured on Saturday afternoon against Doncaster Rovers. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"It was one of those that you'd probably appeal for, but does (should) it get given? It looked a little bit soft.

"If anyone scored the first goal, I thought that was a banker to be the winner.

"The lads gave everything and in the second half I thought we were a little bit better in terms of having a little bit more control. I don't think either team really peppered each other's goal, to be honest with you.

"I just thought it was one of those really tight Yorkshire derbies and one goal was going to win it. Some of our players were on their last legs.

Doncaster Rovers and ex-Barnsley defender Matty Pearson tackles home player Reyes Cleary. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"Didzy (David McGoldrick), for example, is 38 years old and he has to play every single game, every single minute.

"Excuse my language, it's obscene."

Hourihane employed Reyes Cleary as a makeshift centre-forward in the first half, only to change things again at half-time, with Cleary moving back to his natural position of left wing with the experiment not working.

The Reds chief added: "Brad (Bradshaw) was obviously felt his hammy (hamstring) yesterday in training. He would have started today. Then he was out and we had (to make) a big game plan on how we wanted to play.

"We tried something different, Brad has got pace, Reyes has got pace.

"It's an unnatural position to him, but he did it at West Brom for a spell when he was there for Premier League Two days. And we thought, could Reyes create that runs in behind to give Didzy space to drop down and connect the game?

"It didn't feel it really worked in the first half. We switched it in the second half and had a little bit more control, but obviously there wasn't loads of goalmouth action, which is kind of unusual for us."