Coventry 1 Barnsley 0: Barnsley chief Hill left frustrated as veteran Platt strikes at the death

That tally would have been down to seven had it not been for a stoppage-time headed goal from veteran striker Clive Platt.

Barnsley manager Hill said: “I am frustrated because I thought the strategy was working. Keeping a clean sheet was king for us and we had one after 90 minutes but we conceded a 91st-minute goal to Platt, when we had nullified his threat for most of the game.

“Luke Steele hadn’t had a major save to make until then. He threw his cap on a couple of things and there was a little bit of huffing and puffing. I want us to get to 50 points as quickly as we can so I can have a much-needed rest.”

Coventry manager Andy Thorn paid tribute to his team after they scored a stoppage-time goal for the second home game running to claim another three points in their bid to beat the drop.

It followed a 2-1 win over Leeds a fortnight ago, when the winner also came in stoppage time, and Thorn said it was testament to his team’s character.

There was very little to choose between the teams in the first half. Barnsley had gone looking for a point with a 4-5-1 formation and it was up to the home side to try to break them down.

They had one good chance to do so when Alex Nimely broke free but shot wide when one-on-one with Steele.

In the second half, Coventry looked stronger without causing Steele any major headaches. Platt went close with a couple of half-chances while the visitors failed to add to their solitary shot on target in the first period.

It looked destined for a draw until Oliver Norwood picked out Jordan Clarke and the full-back flicked the ball over Steele for Platt to head into an empty net.

Coventry City: Murphy, Christie, Keogh, Cranie, Clarke, Baker (Bell 56), Norwood, Deegan, McSheffrey, Nimely, Platt. Unused substitutes: Dunn, Clingan, McDonald, Cameron.

Barnsley: Steele, McEveley, Edwards, Foster, Wiseman, Golbourne (Done 61), McNulty, Smith, Dawson (Gray 76), Tonge (Cotterill 61), Davies. Unused substitutes: Preece, Dagnall.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).

Man of the match: Alex Nimely.