BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane remains confident that defender Jack Shepherd will 'bounce back, no problem' after his nightmare afternoon against Plymouth Argyle.

The 24-year-old, operating once again as a left-back instead of in his customary centre-half position, had a degree of culpability for Argyle's first and second goals at Oakwell on Monday before compounding matters with a stupid push which left referee Thomas Reeves with no option but to point to the penalty spot late on.

It was a tough day all around for the Reds, whose worrying winless sequence extended to six League One matches, and a particularly excruciating one for Shepherd.

Hourihane observed: "Yes, Jack will know that he had a difficult one.

Barnsley's Jack Shepherd, pictured against Doncaster Rovers recently, endured a torrid day against Plymouth. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

placeholder image — Barnsley's Jack Shepherd, pictured against Doncaster Rovers recently, endured a torrid day against Plymouth. (Picture: Tony Johnson)

"I think he'll be the first to hold his hand up and admit that. Look, he's so honest. He's such a good lad.

"Anything we ask him to do, he does it to the very best of his ability. I've been there so many times when I've not had good games. He's just had one of those poor afternoons.

"It would be someone else next week, no doubt. So, look, he'll be fully aware of that and he'll bounce back, no problem."

The game was a classic example in showcasing a side having plenty to play for in Plymouth - still chasing a play-off spot - against one whose season has petered out.

That said, Barnsley - despite having games in hand - are now only five points above fourth-from-bottom Exeter City - and probably need one more win to be sure of their survival.

The Reds chief added: "With the scoreline at two-nil, I felt like we could have done more to get back in it. And they were doing everything to keep that clean sheet, to keep that winning feeling going."

The remaining Reds fans who stayed to the bitter end did boo home players when they clapped them just after the final whistle, with some justification in fairness. But Hourihane said he was grateful for their support during the game.

"I thought they were absolutely very, very positive and good,” said Hourihane, whose side visit Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United this weekend.

"I think there was a little bit of a frustration towards the referee, as I thought the soft fouls or the small fouls just didn't go for us. But credit to the fans.

"They were brilliant. We definitely need them."