Barnsley: Johnson: Reds were ‘brilliant’ in a losing cause

The visitors slumped to their ninth defeat in ten matches and saw loan defender Kevin Long dismissed for a foul on Harry Beautyman, but the Reds head coach said that the positives massively outweighed the negatives with his side continuing their encouraging run of recent form - if not results - with a game performance.

Johnson, whose side welcome Sheffield United in a big South Yorkshire derby on Saturday, said: “I thought we were brilliant.

“I don’t know what the shot count was, but I am sure we must have beaten them with attempts on goal, corners and everything.

“I cannot fault the players; maybe one I was a bit disappointed with.

“I thought the fans were brilliant; superb and I would like to pass on my thanks from the players and myself to them because they kept going right to the end.

“We had chances even with ten men. Adam (Hammill) scraped the post and we scored an offside goal which wasn’t offside.

“What more can you do apart from have a bit more savvy in the way we conceded two of the goals.”