Gillingham 2 Barnsley 1: Tykes falter in bid to gatecrash play-off places

Samuel gave the hosts the lead when he latched onto Rory Donnelly’s through-ball to finish past goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Conor Hourihane levelled for Barnsley on the volley but, a minute later, Davies parried Donnelly’s shot into the path of Dack, who tapped home.

Hourihane went close to a second equaliser but his late long-range effort went wide, leaving Reds’ caretaker head coach Paul Heckingbottom to reflect on their seven-match winning league run coming to an end.

“I’m disappointed it ended and the manner in which it did,” he said as Barnsley slipped to 12th, eight points off the top six.

“I was disappointed with the goals we conceded because they had two attempts on target and scored two goals.

“You can imagine the frustration we’ve got in there. In the first half we didn’t do enough with the ball. We competed and nullified their threats, but didn’t impose ourselves on the game.

“At half-time we asked for more positive play and tempo, playing forwards, creating chances. The lads responded really well but we just lacked that little bit of quality.

“We started bright in the second half and were on top. We got our rewards with a goal and then paid for a little lack of discipline,” said Heckingbottom, in charge following Lee Johnson’s departure to Bristol City.”

Gillingham: Nelson, Garmston (Chicksen 64), Egan, Ehmer, Loft, Samuel, Aaron Morris, Osaoabe (McGlashan 86), Donnelly, Dack, Wright. Unused substitutes: Hessenthaler, Williams, Glenn Morris, Norris, List.

Barnsley: Davies, Bree, Long, Hourihane, Winnall, Watkins (Khan 85), Hammill, Mawson, Isgrove (Fletcher 61), White, Brownhill (Scowen 61). Unused substitutes: Roberts, Townsend, George Williams, Tuton.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Bradley Dack.