Scunthorpe 0 Barnsley 1: Dismal away sequence finally ended by Tykes
Johnson has been the favourite to take over from Danny Wilson since last week, so his appearance last night will further fuel speculation.
Under the guidance of caretaker managerial pair Mark Burton and Paul Heckingbottom, 10-man Barnsley were heroic in finally ending a run of seven straight away league defeats.
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Hide AdPaddy Madden went close for the Iron early on when he forced Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies into a smart stop.
At the other end, Conor Hourihane took aim from a free-kick, only for his curling strike to shave the outside of a Scunthorpe post.
As the first half drew towards a close Hourihane saw a shot saved well by Luke Daniels.
Barnsley opened the scoring six minutes after the restart when Josh Scowen pounced on an error from Jordan Clark before tucking the ball home.
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Hide AdJoy was relatively short-lived, however, when Barnsley centre-back M’voto was sent off minutes later after a challenge on Tom Hopper for a second yellow card.
But Davies produced three fine saves late on to secure the win.
Scunthorpe United: Daniels, Clarke, Boyce, Canavan, Williams (Nolan, 43), Bishop, Osbourne (McSheffrey, 64), Madden, O’Neil (Evans, 73), Hopper, van Veen. Unused substitutes: Anyon, Adelakun, Wootton, Llera.
Barnsley: Davies, Cranie, Nyatanga, M’voto, Smith, Scowen, Hourihane (Berry, 90), Pearson, Bailey, O’Sullivan (Holgate, 59), Waring (Oates, 90). Unused substitutes: Dibble, Lita, Hemmings, Lalkovic.
Referee: M Bull (Essex).