Millwall 2 Barnsley 3: Nyatanga celebrates birthday with winner

TIMELY INTERVENTION: Barnsley's Lewin Nyatanga.
Picture: Dean Atkins. — TIMELY INTERVENTION: Barnsley's Lewin Nyatanga. Picture: Dean Atkins.

LEWIN Nyatanga celebrated his birthday in style with a dramatic stoppage-time winner for the battling Tykes.

A double from Fred Onyedinma looked to have given the Lions a share of the spoils at The Den.

But centre-back Nyatanga’s late winner did the trick as Lee Johnson’s side made it three wins in a row in league and cup.

Onyedinma’s 26th minute goal had given the hosts the early advantage, but the visitors levelled through striker Sam Winnall six minutes before the break.

Captain Alfie Mawson then bagged a stunner to put the Reds ahead. Onyedinma restored parity with eight minutes remaining, but there was still time for Nyatanga to pounce right at the death.

Marley Watkins was denied by David Forde early on before Dan Crowley rifled wide of the target.

The Reds then went behind when Onyedinma poked home from close range.

Ben Pearson cleared off his own goalline after the break and then Mawson put the Tykes ahead with his fine strike.

Watkins wasted two great chances in the second period and Mawson’s goal looked to have won it, only for poor defending to allow Onyedinma to equalise.

Nyatanga, though, had other ideas and made sure of the three points for the Reds.

Millwall: Forde, Cummings, Nelson, Ferguson (Martin 90), Onyedinma, Abdou, Williams (Thompson 61), Upson (O’Brien 61), Gregory, Morison. Unused substitutes: Cowan-Hall, Archer, Marquis, Webster.

Barnsley: Davies, Bree (Wabara 58), Roberts, Mawson, Nyatanga, Scowen, Pearson (Rothwell 83), Hourihane, Watkins, Winnall (Wilkinson 90+2), Crowley. Unused substitutes:Townsend, Smith, R. Williams, Digby.

Referee: D Whitestone (Northants).