Barnsley FC boss Conor Hourihane issues Marc Roberts and Jon Russell updates and makes 'sticky patch' admission

Lincoln City condemned Barnsley to their third straight defeat, securing three points courtesy of goals from Tom Hamer and Adam Reach.

The League One table now makes for grim reading for the Oakwell faithful, who have watched their side slip to 15th.

Head coach Hourihane was left disappointed by the defeat yet felt his side played some “decent stuff”.

Conor Hourihane’s verdict

He said: “[We are] really disappointed, of course. We are going through a bit of a sticky patch at the minute. Obviously since the Leyton Orient game, we've lost three in a row now, which is disappointing.

“I think I was more pleased with that tonight than I was the last couple of games. Coming up against a team who are second in the league, we knew it was going to be tough, so to concede the first goal so early was disappointing for sure, but I thought we were in the game throughout, played some decent stuff.

“We didn't create loads but still we were well in the game and then the second goal just kind of kills you. That kind of sums up where we are right now.”

Marc Roberts update

Experienced defender Marc Roberts was substituted in the second half, leaving the field of play in a gingerly fashion.

Hourihane explained: “[He was] struggling a little bit with his Achilles. He was struggling a little bit at half-time and we want to give him the best chance possible. He felt like he'd be okay and come through it. It just wasn't the case and he was struggling with that.

“I'm not too sure [whether it is just a knock]. I don't think it's anything over the top, but it was something that he just couldn't get through tonight.”

Jon Russell latest

One player who was absent entirely was midfielder Jon Russell, a player who has been the subject of speculation in the build-up to the January transfer window.

Hourihane said: “Obviously, we understand with Jon that he’s got six months of his contract left. It’s the January window and there’s been a couple of conversations there.

“We’ll see how that pans out over January. If he’s still here by the end of it, brilliant. If he’s not, then he’s not.”

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