Video - Barnsley 1 Shrewsbury 2: Clark says winning return to Oakwell written in the stars

Step forward Jordan Clark, whose first return to Oakwell could most definitely be bracketed in the dream variety after his dramatic last-gasp winner against his former club.

The little attacking midfielder probably thought his chance had passed when he fired narrowly wide in the dying stages for the Shrews with the game locked at 1-1, moments after seeing a half-shout for a penalty turned down.

But he was not to be denied.

His celebrations and those of the Shrews bench following his deflected winner deep into stoppage-time were considerable, although the Hoyland-born player admitted to feeling a little bit guilty afterwards.

Desperately disappointed to be released by Barnsley in the summer of 2014, Clark finally had his moment – while ensuring that the growing pains for his former side continue.

He delivered a promise in the bargain. After pledging to Barnsley supporters that it would not be the last that they would hear of him after being freed by the Reds, his statement has now definitely rung true.

Alongside his winner, the 21-year-old also put a claim in for the Shrews’ scrappy opener, although that one is most definitely for the dubious goals panel with the ball diverting off Reds goalkeeper Adam Davies and over the line – with Clark in close proximity but without getting the final touch.

No-one could doubt his winner. On his late strike, Clark, rated as the best player in an exciting Reds Under-18s side in 2011 which also contained a certain John Stones, as well as Danny Rose and Reuben Noble-Lazarus, said: “It was written in the stars, wasn’t it?

“A lot of my friends are Barnsley fans, so it won’t go down too well. But that’s football.

“I am not going to lie, I felt a bit guilty (celebrating). All the lads were saying I shouldn’t do. But I am a local lad and was born in Hoyland.”

Clark, who played just seven times for the Reds, added: “Obviously, when the fixtures came out, I was always looking for this game. I’m a Barnsley lad and was here since I was six years old.

“Getting released was tough to take. But Micky took me down to Shrewsbury and gave me a chance and I aim to repay him as best as I can.”

While Clark enjoyed his afternoon, it was also a notable one for ex-Reds No 2 and caretaker chief Micky Mellon after the Shrews claimed their maiden league win of the campaign and first in Barnsley since way back in August, 1971.

Former Oakwell midfielder Liam Lawrence also had a rare old time of it, with his savvy in the engine room being the dominant force on an afternoon when the Shrews hung in there and claimed their rewards thanks to a late rally.

The questions afterwards belonged to Barnsley, who, after responding well to the visitors’ sixth-minute opener in the first period, proceeded to lose their way on the restart.

The Reds lacked method and patience, with Shrewsbury boxing clever like an experienced veteran of the ring before delivering the late knock-out blow.

The afternoon started well for the visitors, who took the lead early on with Lawrence’s corner inadvertently directed towards goal by Marc Roberts, with Davies’s meek efforts to punch clear under pressure only contriving to divert the loose ball over the line – despite Conor Hourihane’s clearance.

But the Reds dominated much of the rest of the half with Marley Watkins denied on two occasions by two fine saves by Jayson Leutwiler.

Dan Crowley also went close with a 20-yarder which hit the post before a sweet strike from Sam Winnall deservedly restored parity on 38 minutes.

The striker latched onto Watkins’s perceptive pass and turned away from Jermaine Grandison in an instant before firing a clinical low right-footed strike past Leutwiler.

It was a goal which in hindsight lulled Barnsley into a false sense of security, with the Reds falling into the trap on the restart of believing that chances would continue to fall into their lap instead of earning them.

Play proceeded to get scrappy with the introduction of Michael Smith and Kadeem Harris in an attempt to kick-start the hosts with 20 minutes left failing to pep them up.

Quite the opposite in fact, with Barnsley’s tactics of going long, seemingly in a bid to utilise the aerial strength of Smith, leaving head coach Lee Johnson distinctly non-plussed by his players’ choice of attack.

It was the spirited Shrews who finished with a wet sail with substitute Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro seeing his header from Mat Sadler’s peach of a left-wing cross saved splendidly by Davies.

But the Reds goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Clark enjoying his magic moment with the hosts having plenty of food for thought left at the end.

Pulling no punches on the second period and issuing a warning to his players, Johnson said: “There were just a few little things that I saw set in that will 100 per cent be stamped out by me.

“If they are not stamped out, then those players won’t play or will be moved on.

“I have to trust that my personality and the club’s personality is out there on the pitch.

“I have not got a problem with losing. But we must lose in a way that is by our ethos,” continued the Reds chief.