BARNSLEY 2, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 1
Sam Winnall ended Oldham Athletic’s four game unbeaten run as they failed to take another important stride towards safety in Sky Bet League One.
The striker scored both Barnsley goals as the Tykes strengthened their push for a promotion play-off spot after their success at Oakwell.
Winnall struck late in each half to take his season’s total to 20 and Curtis Main’s goal for Latics – he has found the net in three successive games – proved no more than a consolation as Latics remain only two points clear of the relegation places.
Manager John Sheridan made two changes from Saturday’s win against Walsall, Matt Palmer’s enforced following his recall by Burton Albion following a loan as Carl Winchester won a recall.
Striker Jake Cassidy also landed a starting spot as Jonathan Forte was rested. He was on the bench, but was needed in the opening half so it wasn’t much of a breather.
There was a decent tempo from the kick off as Main went close for Latics while Adam Hammill and Alfie Mawson both headed wide for Barnsley.
Winchester had two decent goal attempts, one was blocked and the second fired wide while Main brought a save from keeper Adam Davies.
But Winchester’s return was brought to a halt after 20 minutes through a knee injury as he was replaced by Brian Wilson who lasted only six minutes when he left the field on a stretcher with a head injury.
Winnall struck the post but, in trying to defend the ball, goalkeeper Joel Coleman’s knee struck Wilson’s head as the injury was bizarrely inflicted by one of his own team. And after a lengthy delay, play resumed with Forte making his entrance.
Sheridan was forced to shuffle his pack for the second time as Forte took Wilson’s place, moving to left wing, Main transferring to the right and Cassidy played as the lone striker.
It wasn’t just Athletic who were suffering with injuries as Barnsley were forced to make a change before the break with George Williams replacing James Bree.
Main again was at the centre of the action as the fourth official announced nine minutes of additional time to be played. He played a neat one-two with Kelly and fed Cassidy through on goal but the ball just ran away from the striker.
However, it would be Barnsley who took the lead before the break from a set piece. Connor Hourihane’s corner was powerfully headed home in the middle by Winnall to give the Tykes a half- time lead.
Sheridan made his final substitution at half time as Mike Jones, who went down with an injury in the first half, was replaced by Jack Tuohy who was making his first league appearance of the season.
In the early stages of the second half, Barnsley almost grabbed a second but Ivan Toney’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Just before the hour, Tuohy struck a shot over the bar while five minutes later, great play from Main saw him skip past three men before unleashing a powerful strike that flew narrowly wide of the goal.
Latics equalised after 68 minutes when Liam Kelly and Cameron Dummigan linked to set up Main who fired home at the far post from 12 yards.
Latics’ good work was almost undone moments later as Winnall beat the offside trap but, luckily, he found an in-form Coleman between the sticks and the goalkeeper turned the striker’s shot on to the post.
Another let off followed as a long throw in into the box was not dealt with but Winnall missed his kick and it allowed Coleman to gather the ball.
The home side piled on the pressure and Latics conceded a penalty after 83 minutes after a trip by Tareiq Holmes-Dennis on Hammill was he burst clear. Winnall stepped up and sent Coleman the wrong way to put the Tykes ahead.
Latics continued to push for another equaliser with Forte going close in the dying minutes but it would be Barnsley that came away with the victory.