Barnsley FC 2 Shrewsbury 1: Ten man Reds win ugly on a fractious, controversial day to maintain hopes of top two

Plenty has changed since April 1955 and in the present, Barnsley's form on fertile Oakwell ground is eye-catching and wonderfully reassuring in its consistency.

Among the eight victories, this latest win was probably the most scratchy on a bothersome, messy occasion at times which will not live particularly long in the memory.

It was day which saw opening goalscorer Nicky Cadden controversially receive his marching orders for a 74th-minute challenge on Killian Phillips in a niggly, edgy afternoon which was not the easiest to officiate for referee Geoff Eltringham, who lost control of it late on in fairness.

Testament to the fractious nature of proceedings was reinforced by the fact there were nine minutes of stoppage time with visiting striker Ryan Bowman dismissed in the ninth and final one as emotions spilled over, for the second time between these sides this term.

In the first minute of added-on time, a header from Phillips reduced the arrears to gave Shrewsbury a slither of hope. Barnsley saw it out with tempers again flaring after the final whistle as several visiting players confronted Reds defender Bobby Thomas.

For Barnsley, another three points was the main substantive on a day which saw fellow top-two contenders Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town - still to visit Oakwell - slip up.

On a day when the Easter Monday weather was truly all over the place, with sunshine interspersed with teeming rain at frequent various interludes, Barnsley showed they are a team for all seasons.

There are different ways to win. Three points is all that matters, more especially in April. On the corresponding day last year, the Reds were all but consigned to relegation after a defeat to Peterborough United. Here the mood was more positive.

After quick-fire goals in the run-up to half-time from Cadden and Devante Cole, who scored for the seventh time in six home fixtures with his goal arriving with a bit of an inevitable air, the second-half was more about game management for Michael Duff's side.

The shame was that Cadden saw red and he will now miss a reunion with former club Forest Green Rovers.

In comparison to some of their stylish and swashbuckling recent home displays, this was scrappy and not straightforward.

Good sides don’t panic and persist and that’s what Barnsley did. They also share the goals around, a club record 22 players who all found the net for the Oakwell outfit in all competitions so far this term.

When football did break out, the Reds had the better of it.

Crucially, they finished the first half like a side in good order on home soil and their half-time beverage was accompanied by a warming feeling by way of two quick goals to surely break the backs of Shrewsbury. It proved enough.

In keeping with the opening 45 minutes, both goals were not particularly attractive, yet it matters not a jot at this stage of proceedings.

The first was credited to Cadden, whose dangerous low cross evaded Cole, but also ex-Doncaster Rovers keeper Marko Marosi, crucially.

Shrewsbury struggled as the half progressed - and they needed the half-time whistle and Barnsley didn’t.

Before Geoff Eltringham called time, the hosts doubled their money when Marosi spilled Liam Kitching’s long-ranger and lurking in the vicinity like all good strikers was Cole, who gobbled up the rebound.

The visitors had put themselves about for most of the first half and possessed an industry that you associate with a Steve Cotterill side, but eventually got worn down.

An early flowing move ended with Cole going close with a cheeky backheel. Barnsley did not hit their slick levels, but built a nice head of steam ahead of the break.

Herbie Kane’s low shot tested Marosi, while only a desperate last-ditch block got in the way of Adam Phillips’ scorching low volley.

There was no clemency and let-up from the hosts, with chairman Neerav Parekh among those in attendance after jetting over from India.

Handed a start ahead of James Norwood, Max Watters went solo and brought a reaction save from Marosi soon after the resumption before somehow failing to convert in front of an empty net after lobbing the ball over Marosi, with backtracking Shrewsbury defender Tom Flanagan bundling clear in unorthodox fashion.

The half proved an exercise in game management, more especially after Cadden's dismissal as players converged. Not for the first time.

Phillips's header made it nervy when converting Jordan Shipley's cross. But they held out amid the noise and rancour.

Barnsley: Isted; B Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, A Phillips (Benson 64), Connell (L Thomas 81), Kane (Larkeche 90), Cadden; Watters (Norwood 65), Cole (Russell 80). Substitutes unused: Collins, Tedic.

Shrewsbury Town: Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan; Moore (Bloxham 79), Winchester (Bennett 45), Leahy, Shipley; K Phillips; Street, Bowman. Substitutes unused: Burgoyne, Craig, Barlow, Hutchings.

Referee: G Eltringham (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 13,026 (514 Shrewsbury fans).