Barnsley’s revival powered by in-form Dagnall

Two second-half goals in the space of 11 minutes from in-form forward Chris Dagnall, his fourth goal in his past four games, and debutant Jason Scotland – with his first touch – extended the hosts’ unbeaten run to five matches with 2013 having already been kinder than most of last year for Barnsley supporters.

On an evening of milestones, the Reds also chalked up back-to-back Championship home victories for the first time since the start of September.

While the result will have been welcomed by the Oakwell faithful – especially on a night when fellow strugglers Bristol City also won and anything less than three points would have dumped Flitcroft’s side back to the bottom – it will not have been so well received in one half of Sheffield – and in Huddersfield for that matter.

The Reds, whose victory saw them leapfrog Peterborough United, are now just four points adrift of Sheffield Wednesday and five behind Town.

Upon being installed as Reds manager following the impressive triumph over Leeds United earlier this month, Flitcroft set his side an ambitious safety target of eight wins from 19 matches. On this form, especially as shown in a thoroughly dominant second period, anything is possible.

Flitcroft made three changes from the side which shocked Hull City at the weekend, with highly-rated teenager John Stones – subject of considerable speculation ahead of tomorrow evening’s transfer window deadline – starting, along with Stephen Foster and Jim O’Brien.

Bobby Hassell, Scott Wiseman and Jacob Mellis reverted to the Reds’ bench, which also included new signing Scotland.

Barnsley lad and former Penistone Grammar School pupil Mark Beevers started in an unaccustomed left-back role for the Lions, with ex-Leeds striker Rob Hulse, fresh from signing on loan from QPR earlier in the day, on the bench.

Amid sweeping rain, it was Millwall who settled the quicker with Andy Keogh left to bemoan missing a glaring chance on 12 minutes, inexplicably hooking a volley over from close range following an inch-perfect cross from James Henry.

Gradually, after a hesitant start, Barnsley found their feet, with Stones seeing his shot blocked by man-mountain Danny Shittu before Kelvin Etuhu dragged an effort wide following an enterprising move involving himself and Stones.

The conditions became more torrential, but to their credit, the Reds made light of matters, displaying slickness and purpose with the visitors – seeking a victory to climb up to the fringes of the play-off spots – beating a retreat.

David Forde had to be alert to race out and clear and deny Dagnall following Etuhu’s throughball before Foster’s header was booted away by the increasingly panicking visitors following more Reds pressure.

One or two groans were audible among the home faithful at the half-time news that relegation 
rivals Bristol City were winning, upping the ante for the hosts ahead of the second half.

The Reds’ continued their momentum on the restart with Forde turning away O’Brien’s low shot before the goalkeeper spilled Tom Kennedy’s resulting corner, with no home player able to cash in.

Determined grafter Dagnall then fired into the side-netting, showing great tenacity in the challenge with Liam Feeney before the on-song forward had his moment to savour on 56 minutes.

He latched onto a clipped pass from Marlon Harewood – with combination work akin to Dagnall’s killer second goal against Leeds – before keeping his cool as Forde raced out, steering the ball home for his sixth goal of the campaign.

It was just reward for the Reds, with Lions boss Kenny Jackett showing what he made of it all seven minutes later by making a triple substitution in an attempt to pep up his side, with Hulse among those coming on.

But it was another replacement who had a more seismic impact in the shape of powerhouse forward Scotland, who moments after coming on was sent clear by midfielder David Perkins, with the ex-Trinidad and Tobago striker firing home an emphatic left-footed drive with his first touch in front of the Pontefract Road end.

Soon after, a chorus of ‘We are staying up’ emanated from home fans, who can probably scarcely believe the swift upturn in matters under the guidance of Flitcroft.

Disappointing Millwall’s efforts at the other end were token with a deflected shot from John Marquis a rare moment of danger.

Man of the match O’Brien then left the fray to a standing ovation 17 minutes from time with the hosts attempting to gloss their triumph with a third with the visitors’ resistance well and truly broken.

O’Brien’s replacement Mellis fired a late free-kick over with the Reds seeing the game out in splendid comfort. They will now look forward to a weekend trip to Blackpool with a fair degree of confidence.

Barnsley: Steele; Cranie, Foster, Kennedy; Stones, O’Brien (Mellis 73), Etuhu, Perkins, Golbourne; Dagnall (Rose 82), Harewood (Scotland 66). Unused substitutes: Alnwick, Hassell, Wiseman, Done.

Millwall: Forde; A Smith, Shittu, Osborne (Lowry 63), Beevers; Henry, Abdou, Trotter, Feeney (Woolford 64); Marquis, Keogh (Hulse 63). Unused substitutes: M Taylor, Wright, Batt, J Smith.

Referee: N Miller (Co Durham).